Books & Cooks

A 12-week program that pairs food and nutrition with learning and loving reading.

What is Books & Cooks?

The Lastinger Center for Learning’s New Worlds Reading team has partnered with UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) to study the connection between literacy, nutrition and nutrition security with Florida families.

Books & Cooks is a FREE 12-week in-person and online literacy and nutrition program. Weekly sessions help families support enjoyment of reading, healthy eating, and family connection through fun, hands-on activities.

Throughout the program, participants share their experiences in a research study designed to measure the impact of Books & Cooks and learn about what kind of resources best serve Florida families. The program is delivered in the Fall and Spring each academic year.

Adult and child in the kitchen reading cookbook

Why participate?

Each week, participating families receive a book, reading and nutrition activities, childcare, dinner, and fresh fruits and vegetables for free.

A kid wearing an apron and tossing broccoli.
A mother and son doing a "smell" activity as part of Books and Cooks.
A girl holding her homemade pizza.
A girl holding her special drink recipe.
A family reading recipes together.
A father and son reading books about food and doing worksheets.
A kid wearing an apron and tossing broccoli.
A mother and son doing a "smell" activity as part of Books and Cooks.
A girl holding her homemade pizza.
A girl holding her special drink recipe.
A family reading recipes together.
A father and son reading books about food and doing worksheets.

Who is eligible?

Families in the following Florida counties are eligible:

  • Alachua
  • Broward
  • Clay
  • Duval
  • Franklin
  • Gadsden
  • Hillsborough
  • Leon
  • Nassau
  • Polk
  • Wakulla

Priority for enrollment will be given to New Worlds Reading families.

Learn More

To learn more about participating in the Books & Cooks program, email booksandcooks@ifas.ufl.edu

To learn more about the Books & Cooks research study (#IRB202301058), contact:

David Diehl, PhD, Associate Professor
dcdiehl@ufl.edu
(352) 273-3526

To learn more about New Worlds Reading, visit newworldsreading.com.

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