MOUNT VERNON – Elementary students from various schools and their parents were showing off their cooking skills while they learned about the importance of nutrition on Thursday, October 26, 2023. In collaboration with Feeding Westchester, families learned how to make various delicious dishes, such as sweet potato fries, pear quesadillas, and pumpkin cookies.
Feeding Westchester is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to nourish neighbors in the fight against hunger. Monique McCoy, nutrition resource manager and registered dietitian at Feeding Westchester, visited the class to help them sharpen their kitchen skills.
“We have partnered with Mount Vernon City School District for a little over a year now to do the Kids in the Kitchen program,” said Ms. McCoy. “The basis of this really is to educate and empower parents or caregivers and their children on healthy ways to eat and overall wellness.”
Before heading into the kitchen, students were able to color their own aprons, as well as receive a cookbook, produce to take home to cook with and more. Mount Vernon High School students assisted families and the elementary students with prepping and creating their meals.
Mother of Lena and Danielle Nicolas, Olivia, expressed her gratitude and appreciation for the program and her excitement to get in the kitchen.
“I absolutely love the program because it is quality time with my girls, but we are also introduced to new ways of cooking, new recipe ideas, new ways to cook with things we already use at home,” said Olivia.
Families are ecstatic to bring groceries and knowledge home to continue practicing their skills. This program will run again in spring 2024.
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