Programs
Cook for Kids offers two main programs:
 |
WITS Café |
| Our program within the NYC public school kitchens works to support the implementation of scratch cooking, healthier school lunch recipes and the expansion of salad bars. WITS in Residence Cooks work alongside SchoolFood staff in the kitchen, and engage students in conversation around healthy eating, encouraging them to try new foods and menu items. In addition to introducing our healthy menu options and regular WITS in Residence Cook support, we also offer a WITS Café Day three times a year. During WITS Café Days one of our restaurant chef partners visits the school to work with WITS in Residence Cook, culinary interns and volunteers, and SchoolFood staff on an interactive meal with the students. Each WITS Chef Partner brings something different to Café Day; some chefs introduce the students to new recipes, some conduct cooking demonstrations, and some work to connect with students on a personal level by eating lunch in the cafeteria and talking to kids about nutrition, wellness, and their work as a chef. WITS Café is made possible thanks to the support of the Charles O'Malley Charitable Lead Trust, Chop't Creative Salad, The French Culinary Institute, The Palette Fund, Samara Fund and the Morris and Alma Schapiro Fund. | |
|
Wellness Lab |
| The Wellness Lab is the component of the Cook for Kids program that takes place in the classroom. Interactive cooking and nutrition demonstrations are incorporated into the school day for children and in some schools supplemental classes are offered during the evening for parents. In the Wellness Lab for children, we introduce children to seasonal produce and have them prepare and taste the produce in a variety of ways: raw, roasted and in a recipe. Recipes are given to children to take home and at least one of the recipes is prepared in the cafeteria during the tasting week. The 2010-2011 Wellness Labs are made possible thanks to the generosity of Whole Foods Market and OXO The parent Wellness Labs are taught in partnership with City Harvest. These classes bring children and their families together to learn about healthy cooking and eating, using seasonal produce and inexpensive recipes. |
