Oldways’ innovative cooking class program, A Taste of African Heritage, brings the African Heritage Diet Pyramid to life, showing people how to eat and cook healthfully, traditionally, and enjoyably through hands-on experience. With lesson plans that simultaneously teach history, nutrition, and cooking techniques, the program introduces participants to the rich cultural history of African heritage foods while providing them the tools they need to adopt this traditional way of eating for better health in modern day life.

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Resourceful Communities recently hosted a workshop in Ahoskie, NC to train community health practitioners in teaching the Oldways’ A Taste of African Heritage (ATOAH) cooking program. Adante Hart, a longtime Oldways’ instructor, provided a brief history and overview of African foods and traditions, shared tips on leading and coordinating classes such as demoing two cooking classes from the curriculum. 

Participants observed him cook spicy chickpeas and, then, it was their turn: they helped chop veggies that went into a black-eyed pea salad. At the end of the workshop, each participant received a binder containing the ATOAH Teaching and Student Curriculum and a Certificate of Completion.  This workshop was a result of Adante and Ms. Deborah Freeman meeting. Ms. Deborah expressed great interest in becoming a trainer, so, thanks to Oldways' partnership with Adante and Resourceful Communities, the 'train the trainer' hands-on workshop was a success.