The "What's Cookin'?" Support Group at the May Institute's Children's Services is providing mothers and grandmothers the opportunity to learn about healthy cooking with locally grown foods. The program is part of the “Books, Bikes and Apples” campaign to provide holistic health to children who have experienced significant trauma. This six-week pilot that began in November 2007 uses an educational series to promote access to and use of fresh produce, as well as sharing of recipes and nutritional information. Micro-grant funds provide subscriptions to “The Organic Mom” magazine as well as vouchers for fresh produce and planting of home gardens. For more information, contact program director Janet Shartle at 508-678-0049.
 

(Top row, left) Program director Janet Shartle and case manager Joe Weiss introduce the What's Cookin'? course to the group while Maria Souza listens. (Top row, center) Eva Diamond listens as Mary Posey talks about some of the challenges she faces in cooking healthy meals that her family will like. (Top row, right) Carolyn Robinson listens as Mr. Weiss talks about the components of good nutrition. (Middle row, left) Osmary Delannoy describes some of the dishes that she learned to make from her mother, Veronica Feliciano, seated next to her. (Middle row, right) The group responds to a request for those who want to sample some Portuguese kale soup. (Bottom row, left) Donna Paradise describes some of the techniques she uses for freezing vegetables she buys at low prices when they are in season. (Bottom row, center) Ms. Shartle brings some soup to the group members to sample including Brenda Mersing and Gary Rose.