This summer, the Aramark Building Community initiative from Social Current and Aramark helped Vetri Community Partnership bring nutrition education directly to the community. Vetri Community Partnership’s Culinary Medicine team partnered with Stephen & Sandra Sheller 11th Street Family Health Services, a Federally Qualified Health Center and neighbor in North Poplar, to offer a three-part culinary medicine series focused on heart health.
Each 60-minute class began with a conversation around key principles: Eating the Rainbow, Fiber, and Fat, and how those concepts connected to each of the dishes participants prepared together.
Class 1 (June): This summer class kicked off with Syrian Green Beans and a Corn & Radish Salad. Participants were initially hesitant–there were new flavors, foods, and concepts they had never thought about before. But once the garlic began to sauté in the pan and the aroma filled the room, so did excitement to try the dish. All in all, everyone enjoyed both dishes. Many even wanted to take leftovers home and counted down the days until the next class!
Class 2 (July): Building on knife skills from Class 1, participants made a bright Garlic Herb Pasta Salad. They learned how to incorporate vegetables and homemade sauces into meals and left inspired with ideas: “I want to make this at home with some salmon added to it!”
Class 3 (August): Leaning into fall flavors, the series closed out with Cinnamon Apples and Skillet Granola. The room quickly filled with warm scents of cinnamon toasting in the pan as participants cooked the granola. The group discussed the benefits of making granola at home and how fiber is a true nutritional powerhouse. The cinnamon apples bubbled away, softened in the skillet, and were eventually plated up.
These classes were full of various individuals with their own stories, lives, and perspectives who all enjoyed nutritious meals together. Everyone tended to linger after class to chat, enjoy each other’s company, and talk about their week ahead. Some participants even signed up to come to the Teaching Kitchen for Vetri Community Partnership’s Senior Cooking Classes to continue growing, learning, and enjoying nutritious and delicious food together. Though these classes were short, they are sure to have a long-lasting impact on the community.
