How does your host site serve the community?
Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank is a non-profit charitable food assistance organization. We receive our food and grocery products from several local and nation sources. All of these donated, purchased or reclaimed products are then distributed to 380+ agencies serving the hungry in southwestern Pennsylvania.
What is your role at your host site?
I am the Nutrition Educator at Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. One of my main responsibilities is teaching Kids Cook lessons throughout our agencies' after school programs. Kids Cook is a three lesson course for children grades K-6 that gets kids involved with cooking. During a Kids Cook lesson, kids have an opportunity to learn what a healthy plate looks like and why good nutrition is important. The goal of the program is to give students the experience of smelling, tasting, feeling and seeing how to cook a healthy and nutritious meal, which will encourage them to eat and cook healthier in the future.
What is your favorite part of your host site?
My favorite part of serving at my host site is talking about food with these awesome kids. I love seeing the wonder in their eyes when they hear for the first time where potatoes grow or how you can mix oats with bananas and make delicious pancakes. The kids' excitement about cooking is natural and once they are given the tools to know how to cook, they have the ability to cook and eat delicious, healthy food.
