Cooking Matters

As part of Cooking Matters by Share Our Strength, Queen of the Valley provides a six-week series of two-hour cooking classes to low-income Napa Residents at Silverado Cooking School. Participants learn how to prepare nutritious meals on a limited budget.

During the first 30-45 minutes of every Cooking Matters class, a dietitian/health instructor shares the health benefits of the ingredients that will be used to cook the meal. The five food groups, portion sizes, meal planning and nutritional labels are also discussed. By combining the nutrition and cooking lesson, participants get hands-on experience creating wholesome and delicious meals with uncommon foods, like quinoa and kale. Once the meal is complete, the participants eat together to demonstrate the importance of mindful eating.

At the end of class, each new chef receives a complimentary bag of groceries to take home so they can put their own spin on the recipe. When the class meets the following week, they discuss their experience cooking the recipe at home.

Groceries are provided through contributions from Silverado Cooking School and Apple Lane Foundation. Cooking Matters is a national campaign owned by Share Our Strength and the curriculum is provided through a partnership/grant. Silverado Cooking School staff volunteer their time, and the kitchen. Classes are taught in both English and Spanish at no cost for low-income individuals.

Register for Classes and Events

Cooking Matters at the store

Queen of the Valley Medical Center is partnering with Share our Strength to offer hands-on education with a registered dietitian to low income families as they shop for groceries at Safeway in Napa. Participants learn how to identify whole grains, decipher nutritional labels and terms like “all natural” and “organic”, compare unit prices and find fresh fruits and vegetables that fit their budget, factoring in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Women, Infants and Children (WIC) benefits as appropriate. Cooking Matters at the Store is offered in both English and Spanish.

Queen of the Valley Medical Center is partnering with Share our Strength to offer hands-on education with a registered dietitian to low income families as they shop for groceries at Safeway in Napa. Participants learn how to identify whole grains, decipher nutritional labels and terms like “all natural” and “organic”, compare unit prices and find fresh fruits and vegetables that fit their budget, factoring in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Women, Infants and Children (WIC) benefits as appropriate. Cooking Matters at the Store is offered in both English and Spanish.