Knowledge Fuels the Fight Against Hunger
Posted by Kori Reed on Tuesday, January 31, 2012
One of the first steps in any problem solving process is data collection; discovering what we know and don’t know will help us make better decisions. In that sense, knowledge is one of the most important tools in our fight against hunger in America.
Accurate information about the reality of hunger in America means we’re better able to focus on solutions that can provide support to families in need. It also allows us to better tailor programs and services to meet the real needs of people struggling with hunger rather than making decisions based on our assumptions about their needs.
This week, Cooking Matters released the It’s Dinnertime research results. The report highlights the healthy mealtime goals as well as the perceptions about the cost of healthy foods among American families. For example, 85 percent of families say healthy eating is important to them, but the majority also says they’re not happy with the expense of healthy foods.
If we stopped there, then our view might be that healthy foods are simply too expensive. But dig a little further and the research shows that families don’t always have the time or knowledge about how to shop for more affordable, healthy food options. Ask more questions, and families will tell you that they’d like to have these types of skills.
And that’s where Cooking Matters comes into play.
Cooking Matters participants learn practical skills that help them budget, plan and prepare nutritious meals on a limited budget. With the findings of the It’s Dinnertime research, which ConAgra Foods Foundation funded, the Cooking Matters team will be able to refine the program’s offerings and consider new ways to bring these practical, lifelong skills to more families. And I for one, look forward to working with Cooking Matters to better understand how ConAgra Foods Foundation can continue to support this mission.
Knowledge is powerful, and the It’s Dinnertime research findings will make Cooking Matters an even more effective tool in helping families overcome hunger.
Click here for the entire report: It’s Dinnertime: A Report on Low-Income Families’ Efforts to Plan, Shop for, and Cook Healthy Meals
January 31, 2012 | 0 comment(s) | Tags: cooking matters, it's dinnertime, report
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