The Learning Kitchen consists of three programs in order to meet the needs of a diverse audience: low-income parents, at-risk youth, and at-risk teens transitioning into independent living.

The Learning Kitchen (formerly known as Cooking for Life) classes are designed to improve food security for families with limited budgets. The curriculum for the program was developed in collaboration with Hunger Free Vermont and the University of Vermont Extension’s Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP).

In a series of six classes, 8-15 participants receive instruction in meal planning, budgeting, shopping, and cooking from area chefs and trained nutrition educators. At the end of each class, participants take home free ingredients to make the recipes at home.

Hunger Free Vermont helps schools and community groups offer these essential nutrition education classes across the State. Vermonters would not have access to this opportunity without dedicated communities that not only host the series in their space, but also coordinate volunteer chefs, educators, and gorcery shoppers.

How it Works

• You or your organization provides: a host, an educator, a chef, a shopper, a space with a kitchen, and 8-15 income eligible participants.
• The first step: a host fills out an application and recruits the volunteer team with support from The Learning Kitchen staff, if needed.
• Once an application is approved, you will receive: 
  1) an orientation for all new volunteers prior to your first class 
  2) funding to cover groceries and other approved expenses for your series 
  3) curriculum and materials for all 6 lessons 
  4) support throughout your series from The Learning Kitchen staff 
• If you are a chef or nutrition expert who would like to volunteer for a Learning Kitchen series, please let us know and we can add you to our resource list.
• For more details and answers to frequently asked questions, please read the application  and brochure. For additional information or help getting started, please contact Laura Fillbach, Nutrition Education Manager, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

"Every parent should take a nutrition class! I learned easy ways to make educated decisions for my family. This class offered a hands-on approach to trying new, healthy foods and cooking techniques." -TLK Host If you have cooking or nutrition expertise and would like to help facilitate The Learning Kitchen program in your community, we encourage you to get involved with a local organization that might qualify to hold a series.  To find out more about how the process works, as well as how you could serve as a volunteer chef or nutrition educator, please read the application and then share it with a potential host site!  If you would like more information or have additional questions, you may also contact Abby Smith, Nutrition Education Coordinator at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Online Toolkits for Hosts 

This toolkit contains all the paperwork and resources that Learning Kitchen hosts will need in order to hold a successful series.  Please note that paperwork should be submitted to Hunger Free Vermont within 10 days of the last class. You may use the Host Paperwork Checklist to keep track of the necessary forms.