CookShop for Teens: EATWISE

SOCIAL MARKETING CookShop Social Marketing carries the EATWISE message about healthy eating and nutrition beyond the classroom, reaching about 100,000 youth in New York City. Through diverse media including radio and advertisements in and around EATWISE-eligible high schools, our social marketing campaigns encourage teens to "Change One Thing" about their eating habits to move toward healthier lifestyles. And now, as this social marketing message is being integrated into the EATWISE curriculum, our students are preparing to become the face of Change One Thing in their schools and communities.

Watch our CookShop video!

In New York City neighborhoods where household income is low and access to healthy food is sparse, young people often lack opportunities to find out where their food comes from, and to learn to enjoy healthy foods. These problems are particularly critical today, as rates of obesity and diet-related disease skyrocket in high-need areas. CookShop, the core nutrition education program of the Food Bank For New York City, has helped confront these challenges since 1994 by helping low-income children and families gain the knowledge and skills needed to make healthy, affordable food choices.

CookShop for Teens (or EATWISE: Educated and Aware Teens Who Inspire Smart Eating) puts students in charge of peer nutrition-education chapters in their public schools or youth organizations.

Through training provided by the Food Bank, EATWISE chapter leaders develop peer education skills and learn about nutrition, food systems and media awareness. They then put these skills to work, sharing their knowledge with their schoolmates, families and communities by leading  workshops and peer outreach activities. 

In the process, leaders and participants improve their own eating habits, promote better nutrition and food access and develop leadership and public speaking skills.

The Food Bank provides each EATWISE chapter with fun and interactive trainings for teen leaders as well as school advisors; complete curriculum materials, including lesson plans, cooking supplies and equipment; ingredients for taste tests and cooking workshops; and ongoing support from Food Bank staff.

To become involved in or learn more about EATWISE, contact Justin Crum, Youth Development Manager.