Mount Vernon School District Hosts Kids in The Kitchen

MOUNT VERNON – Mount Vernon City School District’s littlest chefs were slicing and dicing in the kitchen at Mount Vernon High School with their parents during a recent evening for Kids in the Kitchen, a program offered to preschool families through Feeding Westchester.

The goal of the initiative is to teach families healthy habits and cooking skills while bonding with one another. For this session, which is offered several times a year, families learned how to make taco salads and banana oatmeal cookies.

Kristine Borok, the CEO of Feeding Westchester, a nonprofit whose mission is to nourish neighbors in the fight against hunger, stopped by on March 26 to see the strong partnership between the organization and the District, one that has been going on for around five years.

“We are Westchester County’s only food bank, and we serve over 235 neighbors every single month, 80,000 of which are children,” Ms. Borok said. “Today we’re here during a cooking with kids class. I’m really excited to be with the kids today.”

Before heading into the kitchen, families learned about the concept of eating the rainbow, incorporating a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables into their diets to live a healthier lifestyle. Preschoolers even had the opportunity to try brussel sprouts and raspberries to get a small glimpse into tasting the rainbow!

“We’re focusing on students who are picky eaters, who never want to eat anything, and students who we want to eat healthier,” said Dr. Gayle White, Director of Pre-K, Gifted and Talented and Special Projects. “Teaching parents that their kids can help them in the kitchen. The kitchen is another way to spend quality time with their children and to get the children to try different things.”

Mount Vernon High School Career and Technical Education culinary students assisted throughout the evening, along with their teacher Samantha Cohen, who taught families how to follow the recipes.

“Honestly, I think it’s exhilarating. Kids need more of this, especially at the younger age,” said Melissa Huertas, a parent to a preschooler at Traphagen School. “I think that it’s a big, big idea that parents talk about, teachers talk about but never gets done. So, for them to have this in Mount Vernon, especially being a small little town that we are, I think it’s wonderful.”

Families left with nutritious treats, resources, activities and produce such as peppers and apples for children to try at home. Preschool registration for the 2026-27 school year is currently open.