Cooking up fun in Dartmouth

The Salvation Army in Dartmouth brings new meaning to the saying "too many cooks in the kitchen." Kelly Currie, Coordinator of Community and Family Services, launched Kidz Kitchen, a volunteer-run program dedicated to giving kids the tools needed to prepare healthy meals in a fun way.

Inspired by a program originally designed by Feed Nova Scotia, Currie started Kidz Kitchen to give kids in the community an opportunity to have fun while learning new skills. Kidz Kitchen runs for two weeks, offering six different cooking lessons for kids who are eight to ten years old. In each class, the kids learn how to prepare ingredients, cook a meal, and are given nutritional tips and tricks to help them make healthy choices while eating.

Health Canada suggests that children as young as two can participate in mean preparation by doing small yet meaningful tasks such as adding ingredients to a mixing bowl. Learning where food comes from and how it is prepared gives children a head start in adopting a healthy lifestyle and healthy eating habits.

At the end of each class, the kids sit down together to enjoy the fruits (and vegetables!) of their labour. Not only does Kidz Kitchen help to develop healthy eating habits, it also provides a sense of community and accomplishment among the kids.

It may be a tight fit in the kitchen but the kids are enjoying the lessons and all the treats that come with it. Currie says, "Kidz Kitchen includes fun, games and, of course, lots of cooking. It's been a huge success."