Foods and Nutrition Projects

Are you interested in preparing a variety of foods and learning how they impact your body?

Cooking Up Fun

Everybody needs to eat to live, so you might as well learn how to make great recipes! Learn how to follow recipes and create your masterpiece in the kitchen. Youth will also learn about nutrition and healthy eating habits.

Youth who participate in 4-H Foods and Nutrition projects develop life skills that include creativity, responsibility, teamwork, community service, a positive attitude, critical thinking, problem solving and a sense of self-worth.

Learn about:

  • Safe handling of kitchen equipment
  • Following recipe instructions.
  • The principles of nutrition.
  • Plating an appetizing project.
  • Members will use math skills including fractions to follow measuring instructions.

Participant outcomes:

  • Members will learn how to prepare a meal from start to finish.
  • Members will learn how to follow a recipe and modify recipes for dietary restrictions.
  • This project will teach cost analysis and budgeting for meal planning.

Youth interested in Foods and Nutrition can explore careers like:

  • Chef
  • Business owner of a brick-and-mortar store or an online store
  • Family Consumer Sciences Teacher
  • Dietitian/Nutritionist
  • Baker/Cake Decorator

Projects:

  • 4-H Cooking 101 – Youth will learn the basics of cooking, conduct food science experiments, prepare recipes, and practice food and kitchen safety.
  • 4-H Cooking 201 – Youth will learn to prevent foodborne illness, conduct food science experiments, prepare recipes from each food group, learn to use equipment to prepare food. 
  • 4-H Cooking 301 – Youth learn to prepare food for a party, make yeast breads and rolls, bake shortened cakes, prepare food on a grill.
  • 4-H Cooking 401 – Youth learn to prepare ethnic foods, bake flatbreads and ethnic breads, make candy, bake pastries and pies, bake foam cakes, use dry and moist heat cooking methods, cook with herbs and spices, and prepare celebration meals.
  • Snack Attack – Youth will learn how to select and prepare healthful snacks.
  • Kitchen Chemistry – Youth will learn about what matter is and how it changes form: explore the different properties of matter; learn about acids and bases; and discover how everyday items and kitchen ingredients can be used in cool tests.
  • Grill Master – Youth will learn about the safe use of a grill while preparing meals. Through activities youth will learn about appropriate portion sizes, cooking meat to a safe temperature, using gas and charcoal accessories. Due to the use of the grill, recommended for youth ages 11 and above.
  • Global Gourmet – Youth will learn to create rich and delicious meals from Mexico, Africa, Japan, India, Italy, Greece, and Germany as they explore food history, customs, and nutrition to better understand our world.
  • Beyond the Grill – Youth will learn a variety of outdoor cooking skills while following the USDA’s MyPlate guidelines.  Experiment with a pie iron, solar cooker, and rotisserie.
  • Breads Around the World – This project is designed for advanced 4-H foods and nutrition members who have already learned how to make both quick and yeast breads.
  • Cake Decorating – Creativity can be a piece of cake!  Youth will learn to skills to start making cakes for parities and events.  It starts with knowing the basics like simple boarders, decorations, and cake molds. Then advances to lace and lattice work, tiered cakes, special icings, and advances flowers.

Cloverbud Foods and Nutrition Opportunities:

Youth between 5 and 7 can participate in our 4-H Cloverbud program! This non-competitive program introduces young children to the world of Foods and Nutrition while focusing on fundamentals.

Explore more programs and events

Pennsylvania State 4-H Office

Pennsylvania State 4-H Office