In a recent community survey collected by Wilkes Health Foundation, “Better/healthier food choices” was chosen by 23% of respondents. “Food banks/pantries” were identified as needing improvement.
In efforts to address this need, the library will make available a fresh foods fridge, to help reduce food insecurity, food waste and build a stronger community. This community fridge (public refrigerator) will promote equal access to healthy food. Library partners and patrons who share a passion for hunger relief are encouraged to help sustain these efforts through sharing of surplus foods from gardens and extra meals from food drives and local soup kitchens. The library has even reserved a spot at the community garden located in Cub Creek Park. Anyone who wishes to participate as a volunteer in growing and sharing food, please stop by the library and get involved.
The first series of FREE classes, a Taste of African Heritage, will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, beginning on February 21, 2023. Class size is limited, so be sure to register now. Visit the library’s website to sign up, or call 336-838-2818. Classes will be offered over the course of six weeks, one class per week.
Each lesson is 1 hour and 45 minutes long and covers a specific food group from the African Heritage Diet Pyramid; Traditional Herbs and Spices, Greens, Whole Grains, Beans and Rice, Tubers and Stews, and Fruits and Vegetables. Each class is divided up into 1) an intro, 2) an historical and nutritional discussion, 3) a cooking lesson, and 4) a time to eat together and reflect.
A peer-reviewed study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior in 2022 showed that participating in heritage cooking classes, significantly increased weekly intakes of MyPlate food groups like fruits, vegetables and greens, increased weekly exercise frequency, and had significant improvements in weight, waist circumference, and blood pressure. The study also identified an improvement in awareness and knowledge of healthy eating.
Heritage cooking classes welcome anyone who wants to add more flavor and nutrition to their life, anyone interested in learning about heritage and culinary history, friends wanting to get healthy or to start a cooking club together, teens and preteens just learning how to cook, and seniors craving the foods of their childhoods. Each week, classes will engage participants with hands-on demonstrations and provide notebooks to build a recipe collection. The weekly distribution of recipes will encourage patrons to return for new ‘tastes.’ Those who miss a class can pick up recipes, on request. The project will teach food tracking and menu planning as an added health benefit.
Community members are invited to celebrate diversity with ethnic foods: African, Mediterranean, Latin American, Asian, vegetarian/vegan and share stories of their heritage. Book club selections in the coming months will introduce reads from various cultures to compliment these themes.
Try a taste of African foods as we celebrate Black History Month and check our library news blog for recipes you can make and share at home!