LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Food Finders Food Bank is relaunching its education program with a new series, “Cooking Matters” by Share our Strength.

This food bank has been in operation since 1981 and follows five philosophies for feeding its community:

“Everyone deserves access to enough nutritious food to live a healthy life; People seeking food assistance should be treated fairly and with dignity; Education empowers individuals to improve their lives; Collaboration builds stronger communities; Stewardship, financial transparency and donor intents should be honored.”

Food Finders’ education program was put on pause for most of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the program is making a return with the announcement of this new series.

According to a release from the food bank, “Cooking Matters is a free, six-week cooking series, offered in communities across the country to help parents and caregivers of children between the ages of 0-5 develop their skills when shopping for and cooking healthy foods on a budget.”

The release states that, according to a 2015 national study by the Altarum Institute, of over 1,600 Cooking Matters participants showed they:

• Had more confidence in cooking abilities
• Saw fewer barriers to making healthy, affordable meals
• Were able to prepare healthier, more budget-friendly meals

Throughout each class, Cooking Matters participants will learn about cooking, meal prep, grocery shopping, food budgeting and nutrition, the release states.