What if you could encourage young children to have a love for reading and an interest in healthy eating at the same time? That’s the concept behind the University of Florida’s (UF) Book & Cooks program. Administered by UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension, the Books & Cooks program creatively brings families together with a good story and a meal–and it can strengthen literacy and family ties.
The program has been recognized as an “Emerging Strategies Honoree,” by the Library of Congress, receiving a $5,000 prize. These programs are recognized as literacy initiatives that are less than five years old, but show significant creativity and promise in their approach to supporting literacy.
Books & Cooks is currently available in eight counties and is delivered in the Fall and Spring each academic year. Since 2023, the program has served 740 families across 13 counties and hopes to continue expanding.
Books & Cooks is unique in its interdisciplinary focus and its whole-family engagement approach.
“A busy room does not intimidate a Books & Cooks educator,” says Jessica Cue, assistant director of Books & Cooks in UF’s Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences. “With the entire family invited to participate, in-person sessions engage families as they participate in guided reading and try hands-on cooking activities. It works.”
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.
Created in partnership with the UF Lastinger Center’s New Worlds Reading program and UF/IFAS Extension, the program is also studying the connection between literacy, nutrition and nutrition security with Florida families.
“Books & Cooks is a great example of what can happen when we bring different areas of expertise together around a shared goal,” said Shaunté Duggins, Ph.D., director of state initiatives, UF Lastinger Center. “By combining literacy, nutrition and family engagement, UF/IFAS Extension and the Lastinger Center are creating a new way to support children and families as a whole.”
Since 2013, the Library of Congress Literacy Awards Program has recognized more than 240 institutions in 42 countries, with goals to draw attention to the importance of literacy.
To learn more about participating in the Books & Cooks program, please contact booksandcooks@ifas.ufl.edu.
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ABOUT UF/IFAS
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents.
ABOUT The Lastinger Center
The UF Lastinger Center for Learning, housed within the University of Florida College of Education, strengthens education across Florida through professional learning programs in early childhood, literacy and mathematics; strategic partnerships; and research and data science initiatives. The Center also administers two of the state’s largest initiatives, New Worlds Reading and Florida Tutoring Advantage. Learn more at lastinger.ufl.edu/.
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