Hawaiʻi County recently wrapped up a unique program that connected students and seniors through food. The Hawaiʻi Island Food Basket’s 10-week “Food is Medicine” initiative provided free cooking classes for 19 kūpuna at the Keaʻau Community Center. What made this initiative special? The recipes were crafted by students from Keaʻau High School.
Around 100 students took part, combining their culinary skills with ingredients from their own school garden. They worked with fresh produce like cabbage, peppers, basil, and bok choy.
Students created diverse recipes, from creamy vegan pesto to ulu pancakes. Each week, they prepared cooking packets to guide seniors through the meals. This not only taught cooking skills but also allowed participants to take home extra recipes.
Terence Moniz, the agriculture teacher at Keaʻau, expressed pride in his students’ resilience. He noted, “In agriculture, you often start over. I admire how these kids didn’t give up.” Moniz highlighted that in a world focused on instant results, their commitment stood out.
The program featured guest speakers who shared insights on mindful eating and health. Partnering with the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, they tracked participants’ health metrics. Many showed improved blood pressure and decreased body mass indexes over the 10 weeks.
Moniz called it a “win for everyone.” The program fostered connections: between students, the land, and their community. The excitement from the students was palpable. When the opportunity arose, they jumped at it with enthusiasm.
Recently, seniors from the community center visited the students to express their gratitude. The program, funded with $20,000 from the Hawaiʻi County Council, is aiming for a return next year with hopes of expanding to other facilities.
This initiative is part of a growing trend where communities are finding innovative ways to connect generations through food. Programs like this not only provide practical skills but also build relationships and enhance mental wellness, creating a supportive community atmosphere.
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