“Kids in the Kitchen” Cooking Club teaches kids to make healthy meals – KSNB Local 4

HASTINGS, Neb. (KSNB) – “Kids in the Kitchen” Cooking Club teaches kids how to make healthy meals.

As one in five kids is obese, the YMCA wants to teach kids at a young age the importance of healthy eating.

The kids learn how to read a recipe, mix, measure and cook a meal.

“When I first came I did not know how to cook at at all but now I know how to cook different foods,” said Jessie Bronson, Kids in the Kitchen Club Member.

Along with healthy foods they also learn to prepare healthy snacks. Teachers also make sure the kids know the essentials of kitchen safety.

“Learning how to use the oven, learning how to use the stove top, learning how to cut properly, knife safety, knife safety is huge,” said Caleb Hahne, Wellness Director, Hastings YMCA.

The meals they teach take about 30-40 minutes to prepare.

“We are hoping that at home they eat more fruits and vegetable or be more willing to try it at least if they have made it themselves,” adds Hahne.

Having a variety of dishes has kept the kids interested and they hope the kids take what they have learned home to share with their families.