Children’s nutrition education with different types of seeds on Manny. Hey folks, it’s me again, Jared, your favorite mustachioed Sodexo Dietetic Intern at the Baltimore/Washington DC campus with a concentration in Culinary Nutrition. I’ve enjoyed the past few weeks during my Community Rotation because I have been able to reignite my almost-forgotten passion of cooking. I was fortunate enough conduct both cooking classes and cooking demonstrations within the DC-metro area.
In particular I spent one week with Manna Food Center in Montgomery County, MD and the following week at Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) in Arlington, VA. Both sites serve their respective communities offering more than just a food distribution site. Manna offers cooking and nutrition classes on Manny, bus converted into a Mobile Kitchen and Pop-Up Pantry. AFAC on the other hand offers cooking and nutrition classes, gardening classes, as well as, cooking demonstrations at their distribution sites to help educate their clients of different ways to prepare food in a more nutritious and affordable way.
In particular I spent one week with Manna Food Center in Montgomery County, MD and the following week at Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) in Arlington, VA. Both sites serve their respective communities offering more than just a food distribution site. Manna offers cooking and nutrition classes on Manny, bus converted into a Mobile Kitchen and Pop-Up Pantry. AFAC on the other hand offers cooking and nutrition classes, gardening classes, as well as, cooking demonstrations at their distribution sites to help educate their clients of different ways to prepare food in a more nutritious and affordable way.
Manny, Manna’s bus converted into a Mobile Kitchen and Pop-Up Pantry One cooking demonstration with AFAC, I spent preparing an Italian balsamic olive oil dip for the clients to sample different whole grain breads because the clients typically only ask for white sliced bread and are hesitant to try whole grain breads. As this was just a pilot demonstration, for the handful of participants who tried the breads, they reported liking the bread, hopefully it was not just the dip, and were willing to select whole grain breads.
Teaching proper knife safety and technique for an adult cooking class with AFAC in Arlington, VA As a dietetic intern, future registered dietitian, and a lifelong cook it is one my personal goals help change people’s relationship with food for the better. I would argue that best way for someone to learn how to eat mindfully is for them to learn how to prepare it at home. The old adage of “teach a man to fish…” rings true in this and I love to share what I know about food and also learn from the participants of what food means to them. I believe that sharing food is sharing culture and reaching out to the community and exchanging ideas of different foods is the reason why I have enjoyed my time with Manna and AFAC.
Cooking Demonstration involving different whole grain breads available at AFAC’s food pantry. The following recipe was adapted from the Restaurant-Style Olive Oil and Balsamic Bread Dip recipe from the Food Charlatan.
https://thefoodcharlatan.com/restaurant-style-olive-oil-and-balsamic-bread-dip-recipe/
Balsamic and Olive Oil Bread Dip
Serves 4
Ingredients
- ½ C good quality extra-virgin olive oil
- 4-5 cloves garlic, crushed and minced
- 2 Tbsp oregano (or Italian seasoning)
- ¼ C Parmesan cheese, finely grated
- ¼ C balsamic vinegar, or to taste
- fresh ground black pepper, to taste
- crusty whole wheat bread, for dipping
Preparation:
1) Whisk all ingredients together adding the balsamic vinegar to taste.
2) Enjoy with hot or toasted crusty whole wheat bread
https://thefoodcharlatan.com/restaurant-style-olive-oil-and-balsamic-bread-dip-recipe/
Balsamic and Olive Oil Bread Dip
Serves 4
Ingredients
- ½ C good quality extra-virgin olive oil
- 4-5 cloves garlic, crushed and minced
- 2 Tbsp oregano (or Italian seasoning)
- ¼ C Parmesan cheese, finely grated
- ¼ C balsamic vinegar, or to taste
- fresh ground black pepper, to taste
- crusty whole wheat bread, for dipping
Preparation:
1) Whisk all ingredients together adding the balsamic vinegar to taste.
2) Enjoy with hot or toasted crusty whole wheat bread
