Cooking Matters for Kids: Nutrition Assistant @ ACH Kids Workshop (3712 Wichita St, Fort Worth, TX 76119)

Description:

TAFB Nutrition Education Programs offers men, women and children from low income households training to help them develop the cooking, nutrition and food budgeting skills they need to make healthy and economical food choices. Registered Dietitians and nutrition students share what they know about healthy eating though basic nutrition lessons outlined in a provided curriculum. Volunteer nutritionist assist in teaching a 6-week nutrition education courses and provide nutrition expertise by participating in cooking demonstrations in various settings.

 

Responsible to:

TAFB Staff; Class Participants

 

Duties and Responsibilities:

• The volunteer nutritionist follows the goals and objectives outlined for each lesson in the curriculum and partners with the volunteer chef in reaching these objectives.
• Talking points should include: food budgeting, meal planning, making healthy choices and substitutions when cooking, eating together as a family, benefits of fruits & vegetables and how to select, store and wash them, importance of breakfast and healthy snacking, food safety, reading labels and making healthy selections in the grocery store.
• The classes are interactive and encourage involvement by the participants. It is therefore the volunteer chef and volunteer nutritionist’s job to provide educational and stimulating opportunities for hands-on learning in the classroom and the kitchen. Recipes are provided in the curriculum, or an alternative recipe may be used (sometimes of the volunteer chef’s choosing) so long as it is healthy, low cost and coincides with the lesson.
• The volunteer nutritionist serves as a positive role model, inspiring participants to cook more meals at home and presenting easy, enjoyable and fun ways to eat nutritiously. The volunteer brings enthusiasm to the class and creates an incentive for people to complete the program.

 

Time Required:

• New Volunteers have the option to “shadow” an existing individual class before being assigned their own class series.
• Volunteers spend travel time to and from the class each week and must arrive at least one half hour before the class time is scheduled to begin. A volunteer can expect to spend at least 4 hours per week on the class.
• Volunteers are expected to check in with the TAFB staff either after the class each week or at least 5 days before next class in order to review recipes and discuss issues related to class.

 

What You Can Expect From the Program:

• TAFB Staff will meet with you initially to help you get acquainted with the curriculum. The staff will also help you understand what to expect from the group you will be teaching.
• TAFB Staff will be available to meet with you at any time to discuss any questions you might have about the program.
• TAFB Staff will be available to review your “shadowing” visit and determine whether or not you are ready for your first class.