Classes Connect Cultural Heritage and Healthy Eating

BOSTON, January 16, 2018 — The food and nutrition nonprofit Oldways will celebrate Black History Month throughout Texas with its popular A Taste of African Heritage (ATOAH) community cooking classes. The free classes aim to address health disparities in African-American communities by teaching participants to adopt healthy eating habits based on the traditional foods of the African diaspora.

“A Taste of African Heritage cooking classes showcase the rich history and healthy roots of African culture and traditional cuisine while instilling cooking confidence, basic skills, and enjoyment as motivators for preparing regular home-cooked meals as part of a healthy lifestyle,” said Sade Anderson, Oldways’ African Heritage & Health program manager and African diaspora specialist.

A total of six classes across three cities are scheduled:

  • January 16 – February 20 | Tuesdays, 12 – 2 p.m. | Tom Bass Park, 3452 Fellows Road, Houston, TX 77047
  • February 6 – March 13 | Tuesdays, 7 – 8 p.m. | Juanita J. Craft Recreation Center, 4500 Spring Ave. Dallas, TX 75210
  • February 7 – April 18 | Wednesdays, 10 – 11 a.m. | Rose Hall, Temple, TX 76501
  • February 7 – April 18 | Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Friendship House, Temple, TX 76501
  • February 8 – July 12 | Thursdays, monthly, 2 – 4 p.m. | County Library, 315 E Miliam Street, Wharton, TX 77488
  • February 21 – March 28 | Wednesdays, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. | DAWN Center Third Ward Multi-Service Center, 3611 Ennis Street, Houston, TX 77004

At a time when African-American health disparities are frequently reported in the news, ATOAH works to reverse that trend. Supported by a grant from the Walmart Foundation, ATOAH brings the African Heritage Diet Pyramid to life, showing participants how to eat and cook healthfully, traditionally, and enjoyably through hands-on experience.

Since 2012, more than 2,500 students have participated in a total of 250 ATOAH classes nationwide. The results:

  • 62% of students have lost weight
  • 30% have reduced blood pressure
  • 53% have lost inches from their waist

The majority of students also report sustaining the positive lifestyle changes taught in the class, such as eating more plant-based foods and cooking at home.

About Oldways 

Oldways is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving public health via traditional eating choices. They offer educational programs and recipes based on cultural heritage, the goodness of whole grains, and the practices of traditional cheesemaking. Find out more at http://www.oldwayspt.org.

For press inquiries and more information, contact: media@oldwayspt.org

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