Cooking Classes for Foster Teens

In 2009 Arizonans for Children began holding cooking classes as part of our educational activities for foster teens. Learn more >>

Many foster teens are missing important lessons about smart grocery shopping and principles of healthy eating. When they turn 18 most will leave the system and move out on their own, without the knowledge to make good food choices. Like most Americans, they are bombarded by advertising pressure to succumb to impulse, purchasing unhealthy foods high in sugar, fat and sodium. This hurts their finances as well as their health.

Our cooking classes aim to combat this problem. In hands-on 3 session courses, each session lasting approximately 3 hours, students learn to follow recipes, practice chopping, mixing and measuring. Kitchen safety, label reading, substituting ingredients, and measurement conversions are also addressed. They receive a binder with copies of the recipes along with information on how to read a food label, smart shopping, the food pyramid and nutrition. We work with foster home staff to continue the principles after class ends.

Eating habits, healthy or otherwise, are passed on. By educating teens, we are giving them tools and practices they will share with their own families. Cooking and eating together creates wonderful memories and strengthens family bonds. Positive influences, both physical and emotional, can continue years after the class is finished. We have already seen the kids take pride in personal accomplishment, teamwork and increased confidence. Some have expressed interest cooking careers. We have seen these young people teach each other as well. 

As of December 2009, 4 teen group homes stretched their culinary skills making vegetable stir-fry, salad dressings from scratch, spinach manicotti, beefy chili, green chili chicken casserole, fruit smoothies, tiramisu, fresh peach cobbler (with peaches from a local orchard), holiday dishes and no-bake desserts. So far we've reached more than 40 kids with this intensive, hands-on program.

AFC is working on the next phase of the project, bringing more classes to the group homes' own kitchens. Future plans include Native American foods and teen favorites such as pizza. We also want to engage the kids to share their favorite recipes and become OUR teachers for a day.

None of this would have been possible without the talent, passion and dedication of our volunteers. We are always open to community input from educators, chefs, the business community, gardeners and other cooking enthusiasts to make this program better and better.

If you're interested in working with us on these classes, please contact Corinne at 602-252-2270.

 Educational activities for foster teens. Learn more >>