Thank you for your interest in volunteering for our Cooking Matters classes with Good Shepherd Food Bank. We are the largest food bank in Maine and thanks to volunteers like you, we are able to increase educational opportunities across the state to teach people how to prepare nutritious meals for themselves and their families.
Please review the information regarding the program below and fill out an application here to see Cooking Matters volunteer opportunities near you!
What is Cooking Matters?
Share Our Strength's Cooking Matters is a ground-breaking nutrition-education program that connects families with food by teaching them how to prepare healthy, tasty, low-cost meals. Professional chefs and nutritionists volunteer their time and expertise to lead hands-on courses that instruct adults, teens, and kids on how to get the most nutrition out of a limited budget.
In Maine, Cooking Matters is managed by Good Shepherd Food Bank. Classes are offered in partnership with Maine SNAP-Ed, Eat Well Nutrition Program, 5-2-1-0 Let's Go!, and other community partners. Cooking Matters partners with host agencies such as local community centers, after-school programs, and food pantries to offer classes for the agency's clients.
What We Do
Each of Cooking Matter's specialized nutrition curricula teaches hands-on meal preparation, practical nutrition information, and food budgeting skills. These four to six-week classes are free to participants and host agencies. At each class, participants receive a bag of groceries and recipes to try at home.
We have a wide variety of opportunities for people interesting in volunteering with Cooking Matters Maine. Volunteers are expected to attend all six, two-hour classes whenever possible. Should you be able to attend some, but not all of the course dates
- Culinary instructors serve as an educator and role model, teaching key skills ad inspiring participants to cook healthier, inexpensive meals at home.
- Nutrition educators will serve as a teacher and role model, teaching and reinforcing key messages about healthy eating and inspiring participants to adopt healthy eating habits.
- Course coordinators are responsible for organizing the Cooking Matters class and all parties involved.
- Class shoppers do the grocery shopping prior to each class and ensure that each class is stocked with healthy, inexpensive foods.
- Class assistants will provide classroom support as needed.
View our task descriptions here and view the video below for more information about the Cooking Matters program:
We look forward to seeing you at one of our classes! Happy cooking!
