A brand-new after-school program is teaching middle school-age students in the South Suburbs of Chicago how to develop healthy eating habits through nutrition education, hands-on food preparation and healthy cooking.
Live Well Eat Well, hosted by Advocate South Suburban Hospital in Hazel Crest, is an innovative approach to combat obesity and associated chronic health conditions through culinary education. Under the guidance of experts like Executive Chef John Beck of Olympia Fields Country Club and hospital-based health educators, the program offers a unique blend of practical cooking skills and nutritional knowledge.
The two-day Live Well Eat Well sessions are held at Restoration Ministries’ Sullivan Arts Center in downtown Harvey, where students participate in a variety of programs such as boxing, pottery and theater. These after-school sessions aren’t just meant to teach children to cook but are also an investment in helping them lead healthier, more balanced lives now and into the future.
Live Well Eat Well was launched recently in response to Advocate South Suburban Hospital’s Community Needs Assessment which identified obesity as an area of concern. Up to this point, the hospital has worked to combat obesity through adult-focused programs such as diabetes education and Food Farmacy, which provides fresh produce and meat to patients diagnosed with nutrition-related chronic illnesses.
Live Well Eat Well takes this important work a step further by targeting today’s youth through a prevention lens, said Mark Michuda, Executive Vice President of Michuda Construction, who serves on the hospital’s Governing Council and Community Health Council charged with analyzing the assessment data and supporting programs that address the needs of the community.
“As we thought about developing new programs aimed to prevent obesity and nutrition-related chronic illnesses, we realized that reaching kids at a young age could be a new approach. The fun thing about kids is that they are naturally curious and want to learn. So, we started talking about building a program that not only teaches them about nutrition but also offers hands-on experience where they learn how to cook healthy meals that they want to eat and can share with their families,” said Michuda, whose family business donated the funds needed to launch the program.
Michuda then connected with John Beck, Executive Chef at Olympia Fields Country Club, who immediately jumped on the chance to create the curriculum with assistance from the hospital’s community health team – Lenora Bridges and Darlene Paris.
Chef John, who volunteers his time to co-lead the program, says the biggest thrill is seeing the kids transformation from the first day when they learn about nutrition and observe a cooking demonstration, to the second day where they cook a full meal consisting of a lean protein, rice and vegetables.
“On day one, the kids come in quiet and unsure of what to expect. By the end of the class, they start to come out of their shells a bit. When we see them two days later, they are completely different kids. They are excited and ready to cook,” he said.
While it’s still early to grasp the full impact that the program will have, Michuda believes it’s already creating a legacy of change that will have a ripple effect on these kids, their families and the community.
“Right now, success is seeing the kids so excited to try new food and cook a healthy meal with guidance from Chef John. After each session, they share what they learned with their families and are getting more involved in helping in the kitchen at home. We’ve even had kids come back and say they want to be a chef when they grow up,” said Michuda.
Having the opportunity to give back to the community through Live Well Eat Well is a dream come true for Chef John.
“Being able to share the skills that I’ve acquired throughout my career with the community is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. We’re not only teaching life skills, we’re also exposing them to a new career path that they may not have considered before,” he said.
This program is made possible thanks to the generosity of Michuda Construction and CN Railroad.
While Live Well Eat Well is currently held in Harvey, the cooking equipment is portable, offering an opportunity for the program to expand. If you are interested in learning how to help expand the program, contact Liz Freyer, Development Director, at elizabeth.freyer@aah.org.