Participants will learn how to share their recipes alongside stories that help others to learn about their cultures, and will have an opportunity to obtain Food Handler certification. Participants will learn how to conduct meaningful, impactful cooking demonstrations and classes.

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The objective of COOK-UP’s Meals and Memories Program for Seniors (also known as the Cooking and Connecting Seniors Program, funded by the New Horizons for Seniors grant) is to encourage the social participation and inclusion of seniors through cooking classes led by seniors, recipe sharing activities, storytelling around food histories and with a focus on culturally significant dishes and ingredients, and finally, sharing a meal together with other seniors as well as individuals from other generations.

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The program is designed to empower seniors economically, preserve cultural traditions, combat social isolation, strengthen communities, and promote overall health and well-being. By focusing on seniors from historically marginalized backgrounds, this project aims to address disparities and create a more inclusive and resilient community where seniors play an active and vital role as culinary instructors and community connectors. Participating seniors will cultivate a sense of leadership and meaningful participation in activities that they have played a role in designing and executing.

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The first cohort will begin in October 2024. 

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The Meals and Memories Program for Seniors, hosted by COOK-UP, is funded by the Government of Canada's New Horizons for Seniors program.

 

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

COOK-UP is dedicated to equity and inclusion, and encourages participation of woman-identified and non-binary entrepreneurs from underserved and underrepresented communities - including Indigenous and two-spirit women, trans women, women with disabilities, racialized women and newcomer women, and all other woman-identified people experiencing systemic barriers to success.

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