KIDS IN THE KITCHEN

Kids in the Kitchen is an after-school program offered to children in Kindergarten through Sixth Grades in schools throughout St. Clair County.  The program was first piloted in 2006 at Lakeland Schools with separate sessions for 1^st & 2^nd graders, 3^rd & 4^th graders, and 5^th & 6^th graders.  Sessions are limited to a maximum of twelve students

Kids in the Kitchen encourages youth to eat healthier meals and snacks as a result of hands-on cooking experiences.  Kids learn how to prepare simple, healthy foods that they can make for themselves and other family members at home.  They also learn good food safety practices with each lesson, as well as prepare a healthy snack.

Samples of some of the available sessions are:

Lesson 1—Kitchen Sense and The Incredible Edible Pyramid

Focuses on basic rules for the kitchen, food safety and introduction of the new MyPyramid.

Lesson 2—Wheat is Wonderful

Recognizes foods in the Grain group as an efficient source of energy for the body, comparing whole grain products to products made from enriched white flour, and accurate measuring techniques.

Lesson 3—I’ll Eat These Veggies

Identifies different parts of plants that are eaten as vegetables and safe use of knives and vegetable peelers.

Lesson 4—Fantastic Fruits

Identifies fruits that give us vitamin C, washing fruit before using, and preventing browning of fruit.

Lesson 5—Beans, Beans & More Beans

Recognizes the Meat, Poultry, Fish, Dry Beans, Eggs and Nuts Group as a group that helps build, repair and maintain body tissues, using a microwave oven and microwave-safe containers, how to preheat and set oven temperatures, and storing protein foods safely.

Lesson 6—Does It Taste the Same?

Compares foods from the Dairy Group, recognizing signs of spoilage in dairy foods, using the sell by date on dairy products, and safe use of a blender.

If you would like more information about this exciting program, please contact Saralee Jamieson, County Program Director, St. Clair County University of Missouri Extension office, at (417) 646-2419.