The Passport to the World Club is a children’s cooking program initiative to educate families in the community on the importance of living healthier lifestyles as it relates to eating in season, lifestyle skills, nutrition, wellness all with a multicultural twist.
The health and well-being of our children and youth are of grave concern to many families in our communities living with food insecurity. In light of COVID-19 and the suspension, modified -hybrid in school education, restricted access to community centers, and after-school programming the issue of food insecurity has become more evident. Many children and families rely on school breakfasts and lunches.
Sadly, this new normal presents a looming threat to children as it relates to childhood obesity, sedentary lifestyles, lack of structured routine, isolation, minimal exercise, poor food choices (no food), socialization, and more. The outcome could lead to a generation risk of youth with sub-optimal health, wellness, and lifestyle balance.
The good news is that there is a growing awareness of these issues and more families are seeking ways to make positive changes in their lifestyles and create a new healthier normal for their children. These families need credible, reliable, and free resources to help them make positive changes.
About the Project
The Passport to the World Club & The Farm to Fork Urban Celebration are virtual and in-person cooking classes for children and their families.
Passport to the World Club teaches children about other cultures with cooking as a hands-on activity. Children explore different cuisines, spices, flavors, and more.
The Farm to Fork program educates children and their families on the importance of eating in season, preserving foods, and learning how to prepare fresh seasonal produce. They also receive education on planting their own small farm beds. Soil, fertilizer, seeds, and tools are all provided.
Recognizing the need to promote health, wellness, and lifestyle balance, Patti Green designed the program in the form of live “hands-on” and in-person cooking classes. Molina Cares discovered 20% of the children who wanted to participate live in WiFi deserts. Patti and her team created 4 cooking shows which aired on the CW so the kids could watch, learn and cook the food delivered to them.
The integrative learning experience emphasizes family engagement, lifestyle skills, healthy habits, and encourages an appreciation of other people and cultures.
An 8-week program was piloted within the Police Athletic League’s summer programming with 85 participants. Patti created a health and wellness journal, 6 educational videos, and supportive educational materials. Each week the kids learned about a different country and enjoyed the flavors of three ethnic meals that were delivered to the center. According to the executives at PAL, the cooking program was the most popular.
Since the program launched in July 2020, the program has expanded to 9 Buffalo Public Schools, Explore & More, and Syracuse YWCA. It is been an overwhelmingly successful program. More than 300 families have participated with a 95% retention rate.
Cooking was the draw to get the kids engaged, however, other key educational elements were incorporated. Kids learned how to properly measure ingredients, how to read recipes, understand reading food labels, the importance of good nutrition, foreign language, culture, and more.
With the generous support of Molina Cares, the Buffalo Bills Foundation, and other sponsors, each participant receives the weekly produce, groceries, recipes, cultural newsletters, and 75-90 minute instruction.
The Passport Elements
WELLNESS: The wellness of children and youth is of paramount importance to our society. The program’s goal is to lay a foundation to help ensure the lives of children are healthy for their vibrant and strong future. The program includes a Health + Wellness journal for children to help provide a daily check-in as it relates to self-care.
NUTRITION: Providing children with the knowledge and life skills to build healthy habits is essential. Healthy nutrition is fundamental to overall health and wellness. The educational cooking videos cover; reading labels, healthy nutrition, cooking terms, measuring, review of kitchen tools, safety tips, dietary alternatives and more!
DIVERSITY: Bridging health and wellness with cultural learning through cooking provides students with a multidisciplinary education that includes learning about; new foods, cultures, geography, language and more. Culturally, the program expands the minds of youth to look beyond their own “backyard” and see the world as our community.
WNED - PBS Create: We’re excited to announce the partnership with WNED to air the Passport to the World Club children’s television series. Upon viewing the four original segments and pilot we will move forward this Winter/Spring to cast, film and air.
The goal and mission of the new show is to educate children and their families on the importance of empathy and embracing other people, cultures, and cuisine. As children “Travel the World Through Their Tastebuds” virtually, they’ll meet animated characters from different lands, guest chefs, and neighbors in our community. They’ll listen, learn and discover the magic of our world.
Together, our goal is to expand the viewing audience to a national level.
