Co-op Community Kitchen Program Overview

The Co-op Community Kitchen partners with community organizations serving underserved populations to provide free hands-on nutrition & cooking education classes focused on how to eat healthy and prepare low-cost meals on a limited income.

This program supports the Co-op’s mission to provide the benefits of healthy food to as many people in our community as possible. We believe that learning to cook healthy low-cost meals can help everyone eat well and improve their quality of life.

Overall Structure:

• Regular monthly classes- each 2 hours in length
• Classes include hands-on cooking and nutrition education with an emphasis on eating healthy and low-cost.
• An optional store tour of the Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op offers participants information about ways to save when shopping.

In our program students learn to:

• Prepare delicious, healthy, low-cost meals using whole grains, fresh produce and plant-based proteins ($2.00 or less per serving)
• Make positive changes in shopping, cooking, and eating habits
• Choose foods to include in a healthy meal
• Use the Co-op as a resource for healthy low-cost foods
• Plan menus and set food budgets
• Read nutrition facts labels
• Save money on healthy foods
• Practice knife handling and safety
• Prepare and handle food safely
• Properly store fruits, vegetables, and bulk foods properly to reduce waste and save money