The "What's Cookin'?" Support Group at the May Institute's Children's Services received visits from the UMass Extension Nutrition Education program and from Kettle Pond Farm in nearby Berkley on August 15, 2008. Nutritionists Jessica Williams and Kimberly Sporkman showed how fresh organic vegetables can be prepared into delicious and healthy meals. Kelly O'Neill, Steve Murray, Angela Possinger, and Rachel Mattingly from Kettle Pond Farm brought a selection of locally-grown vegetables for the demonstration. The What's Cookin'? Support group gives 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. A six-week pilot that began in November 2007 has been continued because of its popularity and has involved more than fifteen families. For more information, contact program director Janet Shartle at 508-678-0041.
 

(Top row, left and center) Nutritionist Jessica Williams prepares a watermelon spritzer to go with a pasta and pesto dish as Children's Services program director Janet Shartle and group member Carolyn Robinson watch. (Top row, right) Nutritionist Kimberly Sporkman joins Jessica in preparing a dish. (Middle row) Group member Maria Souza shares a laugh with Department of Mental Health Children's Service Director Lorna Ketin and Allison Fossella and Kim McHugh. (Bottom row) Kettle Pond staff members Kelly O'Neill and Angela Possinger sample a dish before trying out their food flipping skills and receiving gifts for their contributions to the group from group members Donna Paradise and Maria Souza.