The inaugural Literacy Alberni Cooks and Books program (Summer 2017) wrapped up with a bang! The youth cooking and reading program, funded by Island Health's Wellness Grant, helped take 16 youths aged 9 - 12 on a food exploration journey that lasted 6 weeks and involved an array of activities associated with culinary skills, tasting, and bringing home meals, and literacy skills!
The program's goal was to create self-sufficient and knowledgeable young chefs who would be able to help out in the kitchen and even handle their own recipes. Week 2 of the program had the students prepare two different types of bread, both of which they took home to their families. Another week the students visited Healthy Harvest Farm, harvesting their own salads to take home along with their dressings they also prepared.
The final week of the program was a special one as the students prepared all of the treats for the libraries' summer reading program wrap-up party hosted at the Echo Center. Over 120 cupcakes and 70 homemade cookies were shared with the children who attended the event.
The program was a partnership between Alberni Valley Transition Towns Food Group, Literacy Alberni, and our local branch of the Vancouver Island Regional Library. All of the kids enrolled in the program were also registered for the summer reading program through the library. As well, each week the students were given take home articles that focused on cool youth cooking stories.
Special thanks goes to -
The Rotary Club of Port Alberni Arrowsmith - whose members volunteered each week, and offered a ton of support when things got hairy in the kitchen.
Program Coordinator and main Instructor: Marcus Lobb
Food Hub Coordinator
Alberni Valley Transition Town Society
(All photos above provided by, and used with permission of Literacy Alberni)
Top Left: Terry Deakin (President Arrowsmith Rotary)
Top Right: Terry Deakin
2nd Row Left: Anna Berry (member Arrowsmith Rotary)
2nd Row Right: Program participants and group leader
3rd Row Left: Participants and group Leader
Other Rotary members involved but not shown include Pam Craig (Literacy Chair), Larry McGifford (President Elect), Neil Malbon (Seargant at Arms)