As part of our Children’s Health Initiative, the Teens Love Cooking Program connects with middle school to high school-aged children. This after-school program teaches practical cooking skills over seven sessions. Run by volunteer chefs and cooks, the program culminates in a party where the students cook a meal for their families.
Who is Served?
Middle school to high school children.
Role in Continuum of Programs
TLC serves as the fourth step in our Feed the Future continuum of programs.
Program Impact
Teens Love Cooking is a weekly after-school program that provides middle schoolers/teens the opportunity to become competent, independent and kitchen-savvy through learning valuable kitchen and cooking skills. TLC is designed to improve knowledge of food, nutrition and food preparation techniques through an integrated nutrition and culinary curriculum. Teens learn how to prepare and cook with a whole foods approach, understand where their food comes from and select the most nutritious foods (in a country with an over-abundance of processed and fast food). The program culminates with a Family Fiesta, in which students plan and cook a full meal for their families to demonstrate what they learned and celebrate their successful completion of the program.
Program Sites
TLC currently operates at the following locations:
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- Girls Inc. – Carpinteria
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- Girls Inc. – Goleta
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- PSHHC Villa La Esperanza – Goleta
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- Turner Foundation – Santa Barbara
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- El Camino School – Santa Maria
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- Tommie Kunst Junior High – Santa Maria
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- Fesler Junior High School – Santa Maria
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- Solvang School – Solvang
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- Lompoc High School – Lompoc
Opportunities to Get Involved
Interested in sharing your cooking skills? Become a trained community leader for this weekly, 7-week program.
For more information about this program, please contact our Assistant Director of Programs, Jacqueline Valencia.
