We strengthen our community with welcoming cooking programs that nourish food security through shared learning, lasting friendships, and the confidence to create delicious, healthy meals at home
Community Programs
Nutritious Cooking Skills Workshop
These community cooking programs bring people together to learn, cook, and share meals in a supportive, hands-on environment. Participants build practical food skills, explore healthy and affordable recipes, and gain confidence in the kitchen. These programs create opportunities for connection, learning, and improved well-being through cooking together.
Programs are offered in a range of settings, including schools, community centres, social housing, and partner organizations, making them accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds. Each session is practical and inclusive, with a focus on building skills that can be used at home, helping participants feel more confident preparing meals, stretching their food budget, and supporting their overall health.
Healthy Families Growing Club
Created in partnership with Island Health, this 8-week series helps new parents and expectant families gain skills in making budget-friendly, wholesome meals while building meaningful friendships within a caring and inclusive community kitchen space.
Participants take part in hands-on cooking, learn about nutrition and meal planning, and share strategies for feeding themselves and their families with confidence.
Childminding is provided during each session, allowing parents to fully participate in a supportive environment where they can connect, ask questions, and learn together, with a focus on simple, nourishing meals that fit into busy, real-life routines.
Youth Food Education
Youth education programs focus on teaching children and youth the skills they need to cook simple, healthy meals with confidence. Through hands-on activities, students learn basic cooking techniques, food safety, and nutrition, while exploring how to use fresh, accessible ingredients.
Teaching the next generation to cook helps build lifelong skills that support independence, healthier eating, and overall well-being. It also encourages curiosity, creativity, and a stronger connection to food, while giving young people the tools to make informed choices and contribute to their households and communities.
Get Involved
Volunteer Roles
Nanaimo Community Kitchens is a volunteer-driven organization defined by the shared time and skills of our community members.
Cultivate & Cook
Help grow food for our cooking programs at Park Ave Farm. We have 4 rows of growing space for our programs. The farm is managed by Nanaimo Foodshare and owned by the City Of Nanaimo.
Events & Outreach
Informational support at community events helps share program details, run actvities for children and connect people with community resources.
Volunteer Requirments
- A minimum 3 month commitment
- Criminal Record Check
- Initial orientation
Please email Heidi at: ed@nanaimocommunitykitchens.org to find out more about our volunteer opportunities.
Cooking Education
Workshops focused on creative and affordable meals utilizing fresh, seasonal ingredients are supported by site helpers.
School Settings
School-based workshops involve collaborative support between facilitators and site representatives for student engagement.
Growing Healthy Families Cooking Club
Supportive cooking sessions for families and expectant parents are supported by a program facilitator and volunteers who maintain an inclusive space.
Hands-On Education in Action
In our elementary school cooking workshops, students learn mise en place (everything in its place), basic knife skills, food safety, and how to think like a chef by building flavour with nutritious ingredients. They also clean and reset their workspace as an important part of the cooking process.