Salvation Army Provides Budget-Friendly Cooking Classes in Halifax

When you’re cooking for your family on a tight budget, creating healthy meals can be challenging. That’s why The Salvation Army in Fairview is providing meal preparation classes to teach these life-changing skills.

“Instead of simply giving someone a food box, these classes teach families how to use food bank items to create healthy meals,” explains Captain Brent Haas, leader of The Salvation Army in Fairview. “Everyone in the class leaves with multiple prepared meals for the week and the skills they need to continue this into the future.”

The first class took place in March of 2021. Salvation Army volunteers and employees taught the eight-person social distance class how to prepare four meals and one dessert that can be pre-made and frozen, then heated up on busy evenings.

“These classes teach families how to use food bank items to create healthy meals”

“Learning how to cook healthy meals yourself is empowering,” says Haas. “Everyone in the class learned new skills and recipes and enjoyed a day of safe socialization and laughter at a distance.”

Each individual who registered learned to prepare the meals and follow the simple recipes at their station. Meals included a winter lentil soup, hearty black bean quesadillas, pesto stuffed shells, chilli and chocolate chip cookies.

“Everyone in the class leaves with multiple prepared meals for the week”

“The meals we chose for each class are simple, healthy and affordable,” explains Haas. “They are also easy to change up based on dietary restrictions or even religious needs.”

The Salvation Army in Fairview is offering meal preparation classes in addition to the many programs and services they offer.

By Angela Rafuse