Bringing Cooking Classes to Food Deserts: Addressing Food Insecurity Among Rural Older Adults

Abstract

The Food is Medicine cooking series was implemented to increase food security in older adults living in a rural region of the Southeastern United States. Two medical students led weekly cooking classes at the local Council on Aging and provided participants with recipes and food items supplied by the local food bank. Over 4 months, 57 older adults completed the program. Participants reported achieving dietary goals, improving nutrition knowledge, and increasing confidence in budgeting at the grocery store. These objectives were measured qualitatively through group discussion. This initiative demonstrates the significance of accessible nutrition education resources in decreasing the risk of food insecurity in rural older adults.