Nutrition Education—S.T.A.R.S in the Kitchen (Skills To Achieve Real Success)

We all struggle to stretch our limited resources, but without the proper tools, it is difficult to make them go far enough. Many parents lack the skills they need to provide nutritious meals for their families on a limited income. The S.T.A.R.S. in the Kitchen program is a free personal development workshop designed to provide nutrition education and promote good decision making among participants throughout central and eastern Kentucky. Workshops are held one day a week for four weeks and incorporate speakers from each region. Workshop sessions may include a life-skills lesson, hands-on meal preparation and a nutrition education lesson in areas such as food budgeting, food guide pyramid, and fats and sugar awareness. Participants take home groceries necessary to prepare the same meal for their families. The goal of S.T.A.R.S is to encourage self-sufficiency among participants, who may use an emergency food box program or receive government assistance.

S.T.A.R.S. in the Kitchen’s unique approach allows participants to learn from others who are in similar situations. It provides education in an individual’s hometown and encourages them to seek out and learn from the resources in their area. Armed with the tools necessary to make better decisions, S.T.A.R.S. in the Kitchen graduates have cut their grocery costs while preparing more nutritious meals. Many participants are encouraged on their road to success and have gone on to receive their GED, attend college and make nutritional lifestyle changes.

Combining hands-on experience with community resources, educational materials, and the knowledge that there is a better way, S.T.A.R.S. in the Kitchen enables participants to take that step ahead. Over 700 individuals have graduated from S.T.A.R.S. in the Kitchen since the program started operating in 1995.

God’s Pantry offers both four-week and one-time nutrition education programs. Email Peggy Shugars, or call (859) 288-5315 for info.

Here’s what several S.T.A.R.S in the Kitchen participants had to say:
“We eat better and spend more time together. I also save more money to be used for things we need and want… I have a job and have been working for 4 months, and have a car (van) of my own now.”

“I have learned how to fix a well-rounded meal cheaper and without a lot of fat and salt. I love my new way of cooking.”

“The S.T.A.R.S. in the Kitchen program helped me to get the weight (30lbs) off by eliminating fat. I was eating very high fat grams. My arteries were clogging. Now, I feel and look so much better and I am much healthier. I have learned how to cook using little or no fat. I have learned a lot about nutrition and how to stay healthy and fit.”

“Since the ‘S.T.A.R.S. in the Kitchen’ was held here, the young women appreciate the nutritional value in food and read the labels more closely. We are continuing the meeting, preparing a meal, having some educational input, and giving the participants a bag of groceries needed to prepare the meal at home. We are able to continue the valuable program – again, thanks to God’s Pantry!” – Sister Margaret Zureick, CPPS, Pastoral Associate/Outreach Coordinator, Catholic Church of the Good Shepherd, Campton, KY

“God’s Pantry Food Bank assists us in our mission by providing nutrition education classes and allowing us to shop at the Food Bank. The partnership that we have with God’s Pantry allows us to meet the nutritional needs of our women and educate them on how to better care for themselves. Since we are a non-profit organization, this would be very difficult without God’s Pantry.” Janice James, LCSW, Director, Hope Center for Women

“I learned that my perceptions of what the healthiest choice is are not always correct. I also learned how heavy one pound of body fat really is. And I learned what clogged arteries really are.” Alex, resident of the Cleveland Home