London Community Resource Centre
652 Elizabeth Street
London, Ontario
N5Y 6L3
(519) 432-1801
lcrc@lcrc.on.ca
Bringing together individuals, organizations and
resources to foster community action
Cook It Up!
Youth get a chance to Cook-It Up!
The London Community Resource Centre launched a collaborative, community-based program aimed at improving the present and future lives of youth ages 13 to 18. LCRC worked with community partners, organizations and businesses in bringing Cook It Up! to the City of London.
Provided community-based education and skill building for the youth target group and was facilitated by local chefs and/or culinary students. It offered youth food safety information, food preparation and selection skills, cooking skills and agricultural fieldtrips to a variety of local farms and farmers’ markets.
Offered in modules information relating to healthy eating, safe food handling and Ontario-grown food themes for all seasons. Facilitators of each module determined, coordinated and implemented the activities relevant to the needs of each youth.
Provided essential life skills by introducing, educating and raising awareness among youth in regards to local agriculture and food systems, healthy eating, as well as food preparation and purchasing skills. By creating supportive and positive learning
environments the LCRC and community partners provided options and opportunities for this vulnerable youth group. At the conclusion of the program the youth will be able to participate in a graduation celebration, giving them a sense of accomplishment and allowing them to share their learning experiences while networking with local farmers, food commodity marketing associations, local chefs and local farmers’ markets.
Provided evidence-informed practice based on research outcomes, and created and distributed a “how-to” manual highlighting details for implementing the project in other settings for similar or different target groups (post-secondary students, young adults, Ontario Early Years Centres, parents, multicultural groups and older adults).
Cooking experiences help young people learn about ingredients and how to make healthy choices when preparing food. Food skills may increase options for youth who rely heavily on fast-food choices. Knowledge and attitudes about food are gained through the preparation process and are transferable in other food-choice settings. Preparing food independently in a small group setting contributes to personal and social development.
Youth development, or adolescent development refers to the second decade of life. At this stage between childhood and adulthood dramatic changes occur in all four areas of development: physical, intellectual, psychological, emotional and social.
Acquiring personal and social assets such as mastery, independence, generosity, and a sense of belonging helps youth to become fully functioning adults.
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For more information or to make a donation to the London Community Resource Centre, please contact Linda Davies, Executive Director, London
Community Resource Centre (see links): Contact Information
COOK IT UP! PHOTO GALLERIES:
Cooking it up with Cook It UP! -- Recipes for Success:
The LCRC community collaborative pilot project was a resounding success as the youth participants grasped the food-related curriculum with a great enthusiasm. Check out the recipes used by the youth in the program and find your own tasty success in the kitchen.
Thanks to the support of Ontario Agri-Food Education Inc.