The New York State Office for the Aging’s (NYSOFA) monthly cooking demonstration series has reached one million views on YouTube. “What’s Cooking with NYSOFA” also streams live each month on Facebook, where it generated more than 980,000 views during its most recent 2022-2023 season. The fourth season of “What’s Cooking” is set for a January premiere.
As part of its role in the statewide SNAP-Ed NY program, NYSOFA launched “What’s Cooking” in 2021 as a Zoom livestream from an iPad hosted by Registered Dietician Wendy Beckman. NYSOFA enlisted the New York Media Services Center (MSC) the following year to transform its second season into a full-fledged production with helpful graphics and close-ups of food preparation, accompanied by a statewide marketing campaign. “What’s Cooking” has a greater impact than ever, helping older adults learn more about affordable ways to add vegetables into dishes, vary protein while cooking, keep portion sizes in check, and more.
“During the pandemic, the SNAP-Ed nutrition program had to quickly pivot away from in-person classes, so going virtual was a great way to reach older adults who were encouraged to stay at home,” Beckman said. “We were hopeful that the food demonstrations would engage people who were feeling isolated to try some healthy recipes. I am amazed by what we’ve accomplished since then, building a homegrown program into a world-class production.”
“Even though the show’s main goal is to help older New Yorkers prepare healthier meals and better understand nutrition, what’s great about it is that anyone can jump in and learn something new,” said MSC producer Joe Walsh. “We’re really excited to be a part of the project, but even more thrilled that so many people have taken to it.”
Episodes of ”What’s Cooking” typically run around 15 minutes, making them more accessible and easier to follow than a full-length cooking show on broadcast television. The whole series is always free to watch on YouTube and new episodes air on the last Friday of each month at 12:30 p.m. on Facebook.
NYSOFA’s monthly SNAP-Ed NY nutrition programs also include a livestream called “Ask The Experts: Nutrition Edition,” hosted by NYSOFA Registered Dietitian Lisbeth Irish and guests. The program invites viewers to ask nutrition-related questions that concern older adults.
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