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Cooking Classes

We support the long-term health of Texans by offering free cooking and nutrition classes and educational resources. The Happy Kitchen/ La Cocina Alegre® is a free 6-week class series, offered in English and Spanish, taught by peer facilitators in communities facing health disparities and food insecurity.

WHY WE OFFER FREE COOKING CLASSES

Due to the systemic barriers to healthy food access, many communities in Central Texas experience high rates of diet-related disease, food insecurity, and hunger. Heart-disease, diabetes, and cancer disproportionately affect communities where systemic barriers to healthy food exists. Through The Happy Kitchen, we promote an understanding of dietary needs and cooking skills so participants can create affordable, nutritious meals.

Our program offers resources and skill-building to Texans so they can grow and prepare healthy food that is:

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Local

We include food systems concepts in our classes, such as shopping at farmers’ markets and cooking with seasonal produce.

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Affordable

Cooking and nutrition classes emphasize healthy, inexpensive recipes from our cookbook, Fresh, Seasonal Recipes.

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CULTURALLY RELEVANT

We help participants stay connected to their healthy cultural traditions by integrating those foods into the cooking classes.

Our Services: Free 6-Week Community Cooking Class Series

We offer our class series in specific communities that experience high rates of food insecurity and diet-related disease. Taught by trained peer-facilitators using our nationally recognized curriculum, these classes provide:

Cooking class facilitators prepping veggies

Weekly Recipe Demonstrations

We focus on a balanced diet full of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. Each week, one recipe is demonstrated for the class.

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Take-home Groceries

We provide groceries to participants so they can practice the weekly recipe at home.

Recipe Pages

Language Accessibility

Each Spring and Fall, we offer our series in multiple locations, with both English and Spanish sessions.

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Peer Connection

Using a peer to peer education model, class facilitators teach our curriculum and recipes, and share stories of how healthy eating works for them.

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Free Cookbook

Upon series completion, each participant receives a free copy of our cookbook, Fresh, Seasonal, Recipes, featuring dishes they’ve learned in class, and more!

WANT TO LEARN MORE? CONTACT US:

To reserve space for the people in the communities where classes are held, we do not post class listings on our website. To find out more, please email us.

Past Cooking & Gardening Accomplishments

Learn more about the programs and initiatives we have accomplished in the past.