SFA’s Cooking Matters program completes ninth year teaching about healthy meals on a budget

Stephen F. Austin State University dietetics and nutritional sciences students, from left, Tesla Maxwell and Hannah Spring teach alongside Justin Pelham, food, nutrition and dietetics clinical instructor, during the final course of Cooking Matters, a six-week community nutrition initiative offered through the School of Human Sciences in collaboration with the Nacogdoches HOPE Food Pantry.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas -- For nine years, Stephen F. Austin State University's Cooking Matters program has transformed the way families in Nacogdoches think about food, health and budgeting. The six-week community nutrition initiative wrapped up its latest season this week, equipping a new group of participants with practical skills to prepare nutritious, affordable meals.

Hosted by SFA's School of Human Sciences in partnership with the East Texas Food Bank, students enrolled in the SFA Community Nutrition course educate participants through valuable lessons in nutrition and cooking. Through interactive classes held at the Nacogdoches Helping Other People Eat, or HOPE, food pantry's resource center, participants not only learn healthy eating habits but also receive free groceries to practice recipes at home.

This year, 13 graduates completed the program, which ran from Oct. 14 to Nov. 18. With one in three Nacogdoches residents living in poverty, the program provides vital resources and education to underserved communities while offering SFA students invaluable real-world teaching experience.

"This program provides hands-on experience to lecture-based content," said Justin Pelham, food, nutrition and dietetics clinical instructor. "Students learn essential skills while conducting nutrition lessons, grocery store tour, and cooking demonstrations. This collaboration with the East Texas Food Bank and HOPE Pantry is allowing students to create sustainable changes for individuals and families in need."

Cooking Matters continues to make a difference helping families prioritize their health while sticking to a budget. For more information on SFA's food and nutrition or dietetics and nutritional sciences programs, visit sfasu.edu/hms.