SFA’s Department of Allied Health Studies completes 10th year teaching healthy meals on a budget

NACOGDOCHES, Texas –– For 10 years, Stephen F. Austin State University’s Cooking Matters program has provided families in Nacogdoches new ways to manage health and budgeting while cooking. This year’s curriculum, “Food Smarts: A Cooking and Nutrition Class,” concluded this week after six weeks of nutrition education, equipping a new group of participants with practical skills to prepare nutritious, affordable meals.

Hosted by SFA’s Department of Allied Health Studies in partnership with the East Texas Food Bank, the six courses featured valuable lessons in nutrition and cooking taught by students enrolled in SFA’s “Community Nutrition” class. Following the completion of each of the six courses and a grocery store tour during week five, all participants received a free bag of groceries to re-create the meal at home. The final week closed with a Thanksgiving potluck graduation Nov. 17 at the Nacogdoches Helping Other People Eat, or HOPE, food pantry’s resource center.

“Collaborating with the East Texas Food Bank and HOPE pantry is allowing students to create sustainable changes for individuals and families in need,” said Justin Pelham, food, nutrition and dietetics clinical assistant professor. “This program gives back to our community and our students by providing hands-on experience to complement lecture-based content. Students gain valuable skills and take what they learn to practice while educating people who need it most in Nacogdoches.”

The first five weeks of “Food Smarts” consisted of Pelham’s students providing nutrition education lessons followed by chef instruction. The fifth lesson featured a grocery store tour at the Nacogdoches Walmart, where students gave in-store instruction on shopping.  

This year, 10 graduates completed the program. 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.

Cooking Matters continues to make a difference by helping families prioritize their health while sticking to a budget. For more information on SFA’s dietetics and nutritional sciences programs, visit gosfa.com/dietetics-nutrition.