Cooking for Life

Cooking for Life classes are designed to improve food security for families with limited budgets. The program is a collaboration of the Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger and the University of Vermont Extension’s Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP).

In a series of six classes, 8-15 participants receive instruction in meal planning, budgeting, shopping, and cooking from area chefs and nutrition professionals. At the end of each class, participants take home free ingredients to make the recipes at home.

This hands-on approach creates an immediate impact for families, as noted by a recent graduate, "Every parent should take a nutrition class! I learned easy ways to make educated decisions for my family. This class offered a hands on approach to trying new, healthy foods and cooking techniques."

Since Cooking for Life began in 1999, there have been hundreds of series serving over 5,000 Vermonters. Learn more in our CFL Brochure (.pdf).

Cooking for Life consists of three programs in order to meet the needs of a diverse audience: low-income parents, at-risk youth, and at-risk teens transitioning into independent living. Graduates are:

Check out a sampling of easy, nutritious, printer-friendly recipes from the Cooking for Life Program!

NEW! Cooking for Life Thanksgiving Recipes

Announcing a Local Food Pilot: The University of Vermont’s Center for Sustainable Agriculture is partnering with Cooking for Life to increase access to local foods for Cooking for Life participants. This pilot program is designed to expand upon existing Cooking for Life programming to include more local food in recipes, local food purchasing strategies, and farmer participation in classes.

Ten Cooking for Life-Local Food courses will be offered in Caledonia and Chittenden counties in 2010-2011. If your organization is interested in hosting a CFL/Local Food Pilot, please contact .

Cooking for Life is always looking for volunteer chefs and Host Organizations. Volunteers are also needed to go food shopping, provide childcare, and prepare ingredients for class. If you are interested, please contact Rebecca O'Reilly, Nutrition Education Coordinator, at .