Indy Hunger Network partners with the national Cooking Matters program to offer evidenced-based cooking and nutrition education classes. Participants learn to prepare and eat healthy foods on a budget in these classes.. Since 2015, Indy Hunger Network has offered over 560 classes at over 125 sites reaching over 5,500 participants in Marion and surrounding counties. Class curriculums are designed to reach adults, families, parents, and kids.
Cooking Matters provides an evidenced-based curriculum focused on both culinary and nutrition education, provides program materials, and was designed by Share our Strength for partners across the nation to offer at their organizations. Through our training with Share our Strength, we have been able to offer programming since 2015. The national program is now overseen by the Food Trust, which helps to ensure that partners are complying with the Cooking Matters curriculum and materials.
Our staff at Indy Hunger Network brings our mobile kitchens to various sites throughout Marion and surrounding counties such as churches, community centers, food pantries, WIC clinics, apartment complexes and several others. Programming is offered completely free to participants and at little cost to our partner sites. Classes are offered in 1-time 1-hour, 4-week and 6-week formats. In each class, participants cook a healthy meal from start to finish, learning both hands-on cooking skills and learning about specific nutrition concepts. Participants then share the meal made in class, and leave with the ingredients to make what was made in class, at home. Participants fill out a pre and post survey that allows us to gauge if participants have increased their culinary and nutrition education skills, and learn more about the resources they would like to obtain. Participants receive a folder at the completion of class which includes 21 unique budget friendly meals that feed a family of 4 or more for $15 or less, and 12 handouts that cover different nutrition topics, food safety, and tips for grocery shopping on a budget.
There are several ways to get involved in Cooking Matters. Please reach out to us using the form at the bottom of this page if you have questions.
If you would like to learn how to cook healthy foods on a budget, join us for a Cooking Matters class! Our in-person classes are offered in 1-time 1-hour formats, and 4 and 6-week series courses. Find a class near you by contacting us using the form below.
Our program is led entirely by volunteers and IHN staff. If you have a background in culinary arts or nutrition, we’d love to have your help leading classes. Other volunteer roles range from assisting in in-person classes and data evaluation. If you’re interested in helping with the Cooking Matters program in Indianapolis, please contact us.
Indy Hunger Network can host a Cooking Matters class at any site in Marion County or its surrounding counties. If you are located outside of these counties, please reach out to learn more about our Satellite Partnership, a train-the-trainer model program! Our team has worked diligently to create a toolkit to assist partner sites to best lead classes in their community, with around the clock support by the Indy Hunger Network trained team. Contact us to learn more about hosting a class!
