As Nourish takes on a more limited SNAP-Ed budget and has limited additional resources for Cooking Matters program implementation from Share our Strength, we are unable to continue financially supporting train-the-trainer partners across the state with stipends, in-class groceries, or take home groceries and gift cards. We are able to provide technical assistance to train-the-trainer partners, including peer to peer networks and learning opportunities. We can also provide no-cost curricula, data and evaluation support, community learning and relationship building, and information sharing to those who would like to continue delivering Cooking Matters even without financial support. 

As all Cooking Matters Colorado staff have transitioned away from their CM support roles, we are unable to provide the same level of implementer support as was previously provided by the robust Share our Strength team. However, we are committed to continuing contracts with our satellite partners across the state, and are dedicated to supporting additional partners with limited facilitator training as we’re able. We have two full-time Nourish staff dedicated to offering partner support and technical assistance, and we are host regular partner meetings to facilitate more learning and sharing between partners. Cooking Matters will continue to have their online facilitator training materials for anyone interested in delivering Cooking Matters programming through September 2024.

Cooking Matters: If you are interested in providing food skills education to families through your organization please visit the Cooking Matters website to learn more about the Cooking Matters Core. This bundle of 13 lessons with recipes and handouts may be implemented in any combination to provide the flexibility to best meet your communities desires. In addition, the Cooking Matters at Home lessons and other toolkits are available. If you are looking for other food skills education materials, recipes, tips, videos and kids handouts are available at CookingMatters.org.

Other Nutrition Education: The Nourish CO chef team created a book and videos of easy to follow recipes with seasonal produce. We have a recipe book in English, recipe book in Spanish, English recipe videos, and Spanish recipe videos available for use free of cost. 

Share our Strength has committed to providing access to all Cooking Matters legacy materials through FFY24, including: Cooking Matters for Adults (CMA), Cooking Matters for Families (CMF), Cooking Matters for Parents (CMP), Cooking Matters for Child Care Professionals (CMCCP), and Cooking Matters at the Store (CMATS). Cooking Matters at Home lesson plans will continue to be available online. All partners needing curriculum in FFY24 should reach out directly to Nourish to access these materials free of cost. The newly released Cooking Matters Core is also available online for download free of cost.