I have had many opportunities to educate people on healthy eating though out my dietetic internship at Fontbonne University, but my time at Operation Food Search has been the most fulfilling part of my journey. Operation Food Search has opened up my eyes to unique ways of reaching people and impacting their lives though nutritional education. A lot of nutrition education involves written and verbal material that can sometimes be complicated or not fully comprehended. At Operation Food Search, I was able to impact childrens’ live through Cooking Matters, which is an interactive cooking class that teaches participants nutrition basics and how to cook healthy meals. During my time at Operation Food Search, I was able to work with children and teens through Cooking Matters and adults through food demos. Watching the kids build on the skills they had learned during the previous week was rewarding. Knowing that they were gaining confidence in the kitchen and trying new foods really highlighted how impactful the program can be. I loved hearing the children come back each week and tell us what recipes they tried to make at home and the substitutions they made to incorporate within their homes
The cooking demos that I was able to do at schools, food pantries, DMVs, and farmers’ markets were some of my favorite experiences at Operation Food Search. Since moving to St. Louis, I ‘ve not yet had the opportunity to explore the community and really get to know the different areas of the city. Through the demos, I was able to see different cultures, neighborhoods, and the access they have to grocery stores. The experience really opened my eyes to the various areas in St. Louis that are in “ food deserts”. These areas have limited access to fresh produce and grocery stores. Seeing these areas really made me aware of the recipes we demonstrated and allowed me to think outside of the box to provide nutritious recipes with items that they had available. The experience doing food demos showed me how to become more involved in the St. Louis community, how to educate, and communicate with people outside of the standard office.
My time at Operation Food Search was a refreshing reminder of the possibilities for nutrition education and community involvement. Everyone at Operation Food Search truly has a passion for helping those in need. Operation Food Search was my first sense of feeling like I was part of the St. Louis community and I will be forever grateful for my experiences.
