Cooking Class for Latino Parents on Our Site: Learn Nutritious Recipes for Family Wellness
Cooking for a Healthier Life: EFNEP at Banyan Community
Evening falls over Banyan Community, and the first-floor cafeteria hums with the energy of kids playing nearby and Basque chatter as students pack up their after-school work. Roberto Martinez, the EFNEP (Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program) health and wellness coordinator, awaits the arrival of his unique class. Unlike the other students of Banyan, his pupils are adults—Latina mothers.
For the next two hours, Roberto guides this intimate group through an engaging health and nutrition curriculum that includes education sessions, exercise routines, cooking demonstrations, and shared meals in convivial settings. This six-week interactive program empowers families with the skills, attitudes, and habits necessary to maintain healthy diets and lead active lives.
Stunning results back up the effectiveness of EFNEP. An impressive 92% of participants reported increased fruit and vegetable consumption, while 88% now scrutinize nutrition labels and make healthier food choices.
Empowering Communities, One Class at a Time
Roberto lauds partnerships with local institutions like Banyan Community, serving more than 200 households in Minneapolis' Phillips neighborhood, as essential to EFNEP's success. Although primarily focusing on youth development and academic support, Banyan extends adult education opportunities.
Wielding a second tongue, Roberto conducts the class in Spanish, making wellness education accessible to the predominantly Latinx community Banyan serves. Having worked with the organization since 2016, Roberto nurtures strong ties within the community.
"Banyan is an ideal partner for us because we both foster a sense of unity in families," says Roberto. "Banyan's leadership understands the significance of our programs and wholeheartedly supports our efforts, enabling us to recruit participants, using their commercial kitchen, and providing meeting rooms."
Roberto emphasizes his pride in fostering a setting where people feel accepted and secure to learn and grow. "This place serves as a sanctuary from the pressures of work and personal life. It's so much more than just recipes; it's about collaborating and building connections," says Roberto.
Making Healthy Eating a Simple Choice
Rosa, a participant in the six-week program, first joined out of self-care. Having been diagnosed as pre-diabetic, she recognized the importance of a dietary change.
One session was enough to convince Rosa to share her newfound knowledge with her children. "I've completed four classes and learned so much from each one," says Rosa. She lauded the weekly meal planning and preparation tips, now spending less time in the kitchen and savoring time with her family.
"I have brought change to my home, creating a healthier environment for my family, and it has inspired me greatly," declares Rosa. "I want to educate my children from an early age on the importance of nutrition and self-care."
"I owe a great deal to the teacher for his assistance," Rosa humbly confesses.
Setting an Example for Healthier Living
Judith, a Sydney resident, enrolled in the program to increase her understanding of nutrition science and vegan cooking. "I'm delighted because we have prepared various meals without using meat, incorporating other protein sources like beans or eggs, or diversifying traditional preparation methods," she shares.
Excited to impart her freshly gained wisdom, Judith plans to educate her daughter and others on the importance of consuming more vegetables and promoting overall health and illness prevention.
*Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program
Transforming Lives, Bettering Minnesota
Wellness begins at home, in families, communities, schools, and work. Source magazine uncovers the empowering impacts of EFNEP's health and nutrition education initiatives.
Dive Deeper Author: Kelly Petersen
Permissions are granted to news media to republish Source magazine's articles crediting the University of Minnesota's Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program. Images may also be republished, with specific photographer credits or use restrictions outlined in the photo title.
Community Impact Spotlighting news
[1] "EFNEP's Partnership with Banyan Community Empowers Underserved Populations." (2022, September 16). Retrieved from [URL]
[2] "EFNEP Program: A Culinary Journey to Better Health." (2022, September 23). Retrieved from [URL]
- Roberto's class, conducted in Spanish, teaches Latina mothers about health and nutrition, including education sessions, exercise routines, cooking demonstrations, and shared meals, as part of the six-week EFNEP program.
- The EFNEP program, which focuses on fruit and vegetable consumption, nutrition label reading, and healthy food choices, has resulted in 92% of participants increasing their fruit and vegetable consumption and 88% making healthier food choices.
- Rosa, a participant in the EFNEP program, joined out of a desire to change her diet after being diagnosed as pre-diabetic and has learned meal planning and preparation tips, leading to a healthier home environment for her family.
- Judith, another participant, enrolled in the program to improve her understanding of nutrition science and vegan cooking and plans to educate her daughter and others about the importance of consuming more vegetables and promoting overall health.
- The EFNEP program, run in partnership with local institutions like Banyan Community, aims to transform lives and better Minnesota by promoting healthier eating and lifestyles, focusing on family health, women's health, and parenting.
