While some kids are spending their March Break with a video game, around two dozen local youth have been in the kitchen learning to be good cooks and healthy eaters.
The smell of freshly-baked banana muffins greeted visitors to the new Our Kids Count home on McKenzie Street Wednesday morning as the community group is in the midst of running its Kids in Community Kitchens program.
It’s a free chance for around 24 kids aged 7-12 to try out the new kitchen at the facility and learn about healthy eating. It’s also an opportunity to try new things, from baking with whole grain flour to making tofu smoothies.
Our Kids Count nutritionist program coordinator Lauren Beach said it’s never too early or late to learn how to be a healthy eater.
“It’s good for everyone to know, kids and adults, to know how to eat healthy,” she said.
Along with trying and making new things, the program also walks the children through the Canada Food Guide.
“We’re talking about it and then tasting it too while they’re in the kitchen.”
Brianna LeBlanc-Hannford, 11, said the program has also been a good chance to meet new friends.
“I really enjoy cooking and cooking with other people. I just thought that this would be fun to do over my March Break,” she said.
Our Kids Count also wanted to use the program as a way to meet families in the neighborhood. Although it was only supposed to be a morning program, so many kids applied that executive director Gladys Berringer said an afternoon program had to be added.
“We were overwhelmed. We’re really surprised,” she said.
Now that the kitchen is open, Our Kids Count will be using the space for various programs for everyone from kids to parents to seniors.
