Cooking with Kids Evaluation Plan

Cooking with Kids Evaluation Plan

Principal Investigator: Leslie Cunningham-Sabo, Ph.D.
Evaluation Coordinator: Nancy Hood, M.P.H.
Start and End Dates: 10/01/02 – 3/14/05
Sources of Funding: U.S. Department of Agriculture

From health news reports, including the popular press, it is known that children today eat too many foods high in calories from fat and sugar, and eat too few fruits, vegetables and whole grains. School nutrition education programs that include hands-on activities, such as cooking, are becoming recognized as important contributors to improving children’s dietary behaviors.

One such program is Cooking with Kids (CWKs). In operation since 1996 in the Santa Fe ( New Mexico) school district, this multi-cultural food education program works to increase children’s opportunity to taste a variety of foods and to increase their cooking experiences. The CWKs food education staff have worked closely with school personnel to build an integrated and sustainable program that includes classroom cooking and tasting classes, special school lunch menus, and family activities. Evaluation efforts have centered on the children’s and adults’ participation level, exposure to new foods, and satisfaction with the program.

However, Cooking with Kids had not been evaluated to determine if it is successful in contributing to kids making healthier food choices as has been assumed. To test this assumption, the PRC received funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to develop and pilot test a comprehensive evaluation plan for the CWKs program. Beginning in the fall of 2002, CWKs program staff, school teachers, administrators, students, and parents began participating in this pilot evaluation. At the end of this study, recommendations were made for enhancing the CWK’s program and for developing an on-going evaluation plan. A final report is attached. Two manuscripts are currently being developed.

For more information about this project, please contact Dr. Leslie Cunningham-Sabo, at (505) 272-4462 or ldcunningham-sabo@salud.unm.edu.