How EcoCooks Club is Helping Kids Discover the Joy of Cooking and Sustainable Eating
EcoCooks Club empowers Metro Vancouver youth and families through hands-on cooking workshops, teaching food literacy, plant-forward meals, and sustainable eating while fostering confidence, skills, and community connection.
For many families in Metro Vancouver, the kitchen can feel like a place of routine; meals hurriedly prepared, eaten, and cleaned up, with little time for exploration or connection. That was the case for one family before they joined EcoCooks Club, a hands-on youth cooking program supported by the Nutrition Links Services Society (NLSS).
When their child first came to EcoCooks, she had little interest in cooking and was hesitant about trying new foods, especially plant-based meals. But over the course of weekly workshops, everything began to change. With guidance from educators, she learned how to chop vegetables, measure ingredients, and follow recipes, all while discovering that cooking could be fun, creative, and empowering.
“I had no interest in cooking, but with EcoCooks I found out it was so fun to try new things. Before, I refused to eat certain foods, but here I realized I actually liked them!” — Youth Participant
The lessons didn’t stay in the classroom. Inspired by her experience, the family started cooking together at home, experimenting with new meals, and involving everyone in the kitchen. Parents saw firsthand how cooking could become a shared experience, one that brought the family closer while teaching valuable skills about nutrition and sustainability.
“I never incorporated cooking with the kids—it was like ‘there you go, eat,’ and that would be it. I didn’t know the joy it is to get them to really understand the variety of things that are out there.” — Parent, Vancouver
Hands-On Learning that Lasts
In 2025, EcoCooks Club delivered 52 interactive workshops, including special alumni sessions and community events. More than 110 children and youth and 10 caregivers participated, exploring topics from cooking skills to plant-forward eating, food systems, and climate awareness.
Field trips to urban gardens and community cooking events gave participants the chance to see where food comes from and understand the connections between their meals, the environment, and the local community.
Building a Healthier, More Sustainable Future
The impact of EcoCooks Club extends far beyond the kitchen. Participants gain confidence in their skills, curiosity about food, and knowledge about sustainable eating. Families are empowered to make healthier, more environmentally conscious choices at home.
Communities benefit from the ripple effect as these lessons spread through volunteer efforts, family meal times, and peer influence. With the support from NLSS, EcoCooks Club was able to expand, refine its curriculum, and deepen partnerships with local organizations, continuing its mission to nourish young people, families, and communities through food education.
You can learn more about EcoCooks Club by visiting their website, here.
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