PROGRAMS
Common Threads believes cooking is a life skill. Through our hands-on cooking and nutrition education programs (delivered virtually and in-person), we inspire healthy habits for children, families and educators in schools and partner nonprofit organizations.
During the historic COVID-19 pandemic, Common Threads acknowledges that the health, economic, and social burdens are especially challenging for people in the communities we reach. Our immediate focus is on supporting the children and families who are most severely impacted by the loss of resources, and the educators who are dedicated to meeting their student’s needs.
OUR PROGRAMS
Small Bites Healthy Snacks
Cooking Skills & World Cuisine
Family Cooking Class
Ask a Chef
Parent Workshops
Virtual Cooking Class
Grocery Store Tours
Educator Professional Development
Small Bites
Healthy Snacks Nutrition Education Series
Offered: In-person*, On-Demand & Virtual
This nutrition education program teaches PreK-8th grade students about nutrition and healthy snack making through a series of eight hands-on lessons. Each lesson is aligned to national education standards and gives students the opportunity to connect math, language arts, and science concepts to interactive experiences that provide tools to live longer, healthier lives. This program is available On-demand, Virtually and in-person (in select markets). Email classes@commonthreads.org for more information on this program.
Cooking Skills & World Cuisine
Hands-On Cooking Skills Class
Offered: In-person* only
This chef led program (ten two-hour lessons per class) engages 3rd-8th grade students’ tastes and minds through the exploration of the culture and cuisine of ten countries. In the kitchen, young chefs learn how to follow a recipe, prepare, and cook ingredients, and always leave the kitchen as clean as they found it. This Common Threads Chef led program challenges students to use a wide variety of cooking equipment and ensures that they know how to safely and effectively use each tool, including chef’s knives, graters, peelers, stoves, and ovens. Graduates of this program are able to cook a balanced healthy meal. This program is only offered in-person within our select markets*. Email classes@commonthreads.org for more information on this program.
Family Cooking Class
Hands-On Cooking Series
Offered: In-person* only
Our Family Cooking Class (FCC) is a Chef led class that teaches parents and kids how to cook healthy and affordable meals. The class focuses on family participation, healthy ingredient substitutions, and convenient cost-saving recipes. The goal of FCC is to teach families how to cook together and incorporate healthy habits at home, while maintaining their existing traditions. Classes are available in a series of 2 or 6 week classes and can accommodate up to 5-6 families. This program is only offered in-person within our select markets*. Email classes@commonthreads.org for more information on this program.
Ask a Chef
Virtual Cooking Demonstration
Offered: Virtual only
These interactive virtual cooking demonstrations feature nutrition tips and mini culinary skills lessons. Each lesson features a live cooking demonstration by a Common Threads Chef Instructor, but participants are not required to cook-along. The demo ends with a Q&A for families to ask the Chef any questions they have. This program is only available virtually*. Email classes@commonthreads.org for more information on this program.
Parent Workshops
Healthy & Wellness Training
Offered: In-person* & Virtual
This program engages parents and caregivers to encourage healthy eating habits at home and in their own community. Topics include: basic nutrition, grocery shopping on a budget, and cooking with kids. The workshops have flexible formatting that allows them to be incorporated in other in-person parent related programs, like parent meetings, school wellness council events, and health fairs. This program is available both in-person (designated markets) and virtually*. Email classes@commonthreads.org for more information on this program.
Virtual Cooking Classes
Interactive Hands-On Cooking Series
Offered: Virtual & On-Demand
These classes bring students and their parents and caregivers together through cooking. The classes are designed for 3rd-8th graders and require adult supervision or participation. The class features flavors from around the world while focusing on the following focus areas: Restaurant Meals at Home, Roasting, Baking & Breakfast, and Plant Based Diets. Grocery shopping lists will be provided for families interested in purchasing the ingredients ahead of time. Participants are recommended to cook alongside the chef instructor. This program is available both on-demand and virtually. Email classes@commonthreads.org for more information on this program.
Grocery Store Tours
Engaging Chef-Guided Tour
Offered: In-person* only
This a unique program consists of a chef guided tour at a local grocery store. Our goal is to engage parents on how to economically buy healthy foods and best navigate their local store. This program is only available in-person* (designated markets). Email classes@commonthreads.org for more information on this program.
Educator Training
Professional Development Course
Offered: In-person* & Virtual
This two-hour training prepares educators, youth development staff, or student/family support workers to implement Small Bites, and equip them to be healthy role models, contributing to the improved health of the school or community environment. Training includes information on nutrition, healthy cooking demonstrations, and guidelines for how to integrate nutrition education into core content. Teachers earn professional development credits for the training in Common Threads’ largest markets. Printed materials provided by Common Threads. This program is available both in-person* (designated markets) and virtually* depending on open opportunities. Email classes@commonthreads.org for more information on this program.
IN-PERSON PROGRAM MARKETS
All in-person programming is offered in select markets (based on organization partnerships and school districts). Contact our program directly for more information about in-person availability.
Common Threads programming is a SNAP-Ed approved intervention designed to increase nutrition knowledge, vegetable consumption, and variety of vegetables consumed. We are encouraging anyone who is interested to enroll, complete the self-guided course then gain access to all our curriculum, downloads and resources. Learn how to get trained today at teach.commonthreads.org.
For more information on our programs and virtual learning, contact classes@commonthreads.org
