Stacie Archer’s non-profit organization, Get Cooking, is revolutionizing the way low-income families shop for and prepare healthy meals for $20 or less.
Stacie Archer, a single mom of three, understands the challenges of cooking nutritious meals on a tight budget. Determined to help other families facing similar struggles, Archer founded Get Cooking, a non-profit organization that educates low-income families on how to shop for healthy food and create affordable meals. With the belief that home-cooked dinners are essential for children’s development, Archer aims to alleviate the stress of providing nutritious meals while fostering stronger family bonds and combating child obesity.
The Importance of Family Meals:
Research from the National Institutes of Health reveals that having at least three frequent family meals per week reduces the likelihood of children being overweight by 12%. Additionally, it decreases the chances of unhealthy food intake and eating disorders by 20% and 35%, respectively. Archer’s mission aligns with these findings, as she aims to empower families to prioritize regular, healthy meals together.
Seven Plates: A Blog That Started It All
In 2016, Archer began her journey by launching a food blog called Seven Plates. The blog featured cooking tips and recipes, each designed to feed a family of four for $20 or less. Archer sought to dispel the misconception that cooking healthy meals is expensive and unappetizing, challenging families’ reliance on sodium-laden frozen meals. As Seven Plates gained popularity, Archer realized she could make an even greater impact by collaborating with award-winning chefs.
Interactive Cooking Classes for Low-Income Families
Today, Archer co-hosts virtual interactive cooking classes for families living in subsidized housing in Miami and Orlando, Florida. These classes take place twice a month, with one specifically dedicated to families in Verde Gardens, a townhome community in Miami serving formerly homeless residents. The other class caters to families in Orlando’s poorest neighborhoods, such as Parramore.
To ensure accessibility, meal kits containing all the necessary ingredients are delivered to participants’ homes a few hours before the class begins. Archer emphasizes that families have no excuses as they have everything they need to follow along. The classes commence promptly at 5 p.m., allowing children to participate after returning home from school.
Empowering Families in Their Own Kitchens
Archer takes pride in the fact that these cooking classes take place in participants’ own kitchens, rather than a demonstration in a multipurpose room. By familiarizing families with their own cooking spaces, Archer instills confidence and encourages them to utilize their newfound skills. Many participants have never used an oven or frying pan before, making this hands-on experience invaluable.
Archer not only teaches families the importance of nutritious foods but also how to shop for them on a budget. By physically interacting with the ingredients and witnessing the cooking process, participants gain trust in their ability to prepare meals for $20 or less. The hope is that families will apply these recipes and skills when grocery shopping in the future, making wiser choices with their limited resources.
Conclusion:
Stacie Archer’s Get Cooking organization is transforming the lives of low-income families by providing them with the knowledge and skills to cook healthy meals on a budget. Through virtual interactive cooking classes and the Seven Plates blog, Archer is empowering families to prioritize nutritious meals and strengthen their relationships. By showing families that cooking healthy meals can be affordable and enjoyable, Archer is making a lasting impact on their well-being and future shopping habits. Get Cooking is not just about providing a meal; it’s about equipping families with the tools to become self-sufficient and make healthier choices for themselves and their children.
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