Metro Caring Cocina y Nutrición

Nutrition Programs

Through cooking clubs and health classes, our nutrition programs build community and sharpen skills to manage health conditions impacted by hunger, like diabetes and heart disease. Our kitchen is a place where a love for healthy cooking can grow and be shared.

All classes, clubs, and programs are free to all! Registration may be required. Fresh Foods Market shopping vouchers are offered at many of our clubs and classes. Vouchers allow community members to have a shopping trip in the Fresh Foods Market without scheduling an appointment so that they can practice newfound skills and recipes at home.

Our Programs

Metro Caring Cocina y Nutrición

Cocina y nutrición

Founded by a community member to expand Spanish language programming, this 10-week cooking class explores nutritious recipes for the whole family while building a community that learns together and supports each other’s health goals. Everyone contributes to preparing the recipe with opportunities to learn about different foods and cooking skills.

Fresh Foods Market Voucher Available  |  Spanish

Elementary-aged kid smiles at the camera as he cuts a vegetable with a dull serrated knife. He's weird a bright blue chef's hat and matching blue apron.

Kidz in the Kitchen | Niñoz en la cocina

For children in 1st–5th grades and their caregivers, this multigenerational cooking class was started by a mom in our community to focus on building healthy habits, cooking kid-friendly recipes, and learning how to grow food.

Fresh Foods Market Voucher Available  |  English, Spanish

Three women sit together eating food and smiling at the camera.

Diabetes Self-Management Support Programs

Metro Caring’s Diabetes Self-Management Support Program is a five- to six-week course designed to provide tools for people with diabetes and their loved ones to eat well, monitor blood glucose, be active, and manage stress. Participants learn and share with others experiencing diabetes, with support from Registered Dietitians and peer leaders. Everyone creates a weekly action plan to achieve their goals. 

Fresh Foods Market Voucher Available  |  English, Spanish. Arabic

Metro Caring Cocina y Nutrición

Baby Café | Bebe Café

Held in partnership with Metropolitan State University and expert lactation consultants, Baby Café is a weekly lactation support group focused on reducing barriers for those who want to produce milk to feed their baby. Complete with food, peer support, and Certified Lactation Consultant advice.

Fresh Foods Market Voucher Available (Monthly) | English, Spanish

Metro Caring Cocina y Nutrición

Cooking Clubs

Community-led and open to all, our clubs cover themes ranging from eating for well-being to exploring global cuisines. Spoken languages vary. If you are interested in facilitating or being part of a cooking club, email Nutrition Team Lead Andrea Cervantes.

Spoken languages vary

Metro Caring Cocina y Nutrición

Diabetes Prevention Program

For individuals with pre-diabetes, this yearlong program in partnership with the Denver YMCA is held at various times in the Denver Metro area. To get more information, email the Denver YMCA or call 720-524-2747.

Metro Caring Cocina y Nutrición

Healthy Tastings

Each week, volunteers and interns use ingredients from our Fresh Foods Market to cook up delicious and nutritious recipes that they serve to our community in our Welcome Center.

Upcoming Classes & Programs

Baby Café

Baby Café

Date: November 11, 2024Time: 11:00 am - 12:30 pmLocation: Metro Caring

Join our weekly lactation support group focused on reducing barriers for those who want to produce milk to feed their baby.

Community Stories

Inspiring New Helpers in the Kitchen

Preparing meals in Maria’s kitchen is a family event. Metro Caring’s Kidz in the Kitchen program helped Maria find ways to encourage her young chefs to learn about healthy eating and inspired them to help their mom out in the kitchen.

 

Language Justice in the Kitchen

Metro Caring helps me feel comfortable to communicate in the language of my heart so I can participate, ask questions, and get the care I need.”

Colorado’s First Arabic Diabetes Program

A registered dietitian and community leader, Sara partnered with us to expand our Diabetes Among Friends program into Arabic—the first of its kind in Colorado.

Meet the Team

Lannea's headshot

Lannea Hand, MS RDN
she/her/hers
Nutrition Manager
Email

Ask me about Baby Café, nutrition internships, or volunteering.

Andrea's headshot

Andrea Cervantes
she/her/ella
Nutrition Team Lead
Email  

Ask me about cooking classes in English and Spanish, starting a cooking club, or using our community kitchen for food-related small business, events, and ongoing programs. 

Khadijatu's headshot

Khadijatu Fofanah-Stevens, MA, M.N.M.
she/her/hers
Wellness Program Coordinator
Email  

Ask me about our Diabetes Self-Management Program and other wellness activities.