State Office for the Aging cooking series season 4 returns in January; supports access to healthy food
The New York State Office for the Aging, in partnership with the New York State Office of General Services Media Services Center, announced that NYSOFA’s monthly cooking demonstration series has reached one million views on YouTube. “What’s Cooking with NYSOFA” also streams live each month on Facebook, where it generated more than 980,000 views during its most recent 2022-23 season. The fourth season of “What’s Cooking” is set for a January premiere.
As part of its role in the statewide SNAP-Ed NY program, NYSOFA launched “What’s Cooking” in 2021 as a Zoom livestream from an iPad hosted by registered dietician Wendy Beckman. NYSOFA enlisted MSC the following year to transform its second season into a full-fledged production with helpful graphics and close-ups of food preparation, accompanied by a statewide marketing campaign.
“What’s Cooking” is intended to help older adults learn more about affordable ways to add vegetables into dishes, vary protein while cooking, keep portion sizes in check and more.
“During the pandemic, the SNAP-Ed nutrition program had to quickly pivot away from in-person classes, so going virtual was a great way to reach older adults who were encouraged to stay at home,” Beckman said. “We were hopeful that the food demonstrations would engage people who were feeling isolated to try some healthy recipes. I am amazed by what we’ve accomplished since then, building a homegrown program into a world-class production.”
“Even though the show’s main goal is to help older New Yorkers prepare healthier meals and better understand nutrition, what’s great about it is that anyone can jump in and learn something new,” said MSC producer Joe Walsh. “We’re really excited to be a part of the project, but even more thrilled that so many people have taken to it.”
Episodes of ‘What’s Cooking’ typically run around 15 minutes, making them more accessible and easier to follow than a full-length cooking show on broadcast television. The whole series is always free to watch on YouTube and new episodes air on the last Friday of each month at 12:30 p.m. on Facebook.
NYSOFA’s monthly SNAP-Ed NY nutrition programs also include a livestream called “Ask the Experts: Nutrition Edition,” hosted by NYSOFA registered dietitian Lisbeth Irish and guests. The program invites viewers to ask nutrition-related questions that concern older adults.
About SNAP-Ed NY
SNAP-Ed NY is a free statewide program that teaches people how to shop for and cook healthy meals on a limited budget. It is part of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which provides benefits to help income-eligible individuals pay for food.
NYSOFA and its network of local programs provide SNAP-Ed nutritional education to older adults at the statewide and regional levels in partnership with the state Office for Temporary and Disability Assistance. These programs are overseen by a team of registered dietitians and nutrition education experts who specialize in nutrition for older adults.
According to the National Council on Aging, more than five million older Americans lacked sufficient access to healthy food in 2020, and that number has grown since the COVID-19 pandemic and a rapidly aging population. SNAP-Ed NY is one of many state efforts to address older New Yorkers’ nutritional health needs.
“We applaud our partners at NYSOFA and OGS for creating an engaging and accessible platform for older adults, SNAP recipients and all New Yorkers to learn more about their food choices, maximize their resources and improve their health and well-being,” said OTDA Acting Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn. “‘What’s Cooking with NYSOFA’ and other successful SNAP-Ed NY outreach programs help maximize the impact of Governor [Kathy] Hochul’s work to expand access to affordable, nutritious, locally grown food in underserved communities across the state.”
About NYSOFA nutrition programs
NYSOFA administers the nation’s largest nutrition program for older adults. In 2022, the program provided more than 21 million meals to more than 245,000 older adults, supporting physical health and well-being while combatting social isolation. The program uses the expertise of registered dietitians to certify that food meets the highest national standards, combining funding from federal, state and local government sources into a single, comprehensive, statewide program.
Services are provided by Area Agencies on Aging and their community partners in every county of the state. Nutrition services include congregate and home-delivered meals, nutrition education and counseling and referrals to additional supports and benefit programs.
Congregate meals are provided at community dining sites throughout New York. Home-delivered meals are for individuals unable to shop and prepare meals without assistance. Anyone over age 60 can access congregate meals; those needing a meal delivered to their home must meet additional eligibility criteria.
Income-based nutrition assistance is also available for older adults, including help paying for food through SNAP and the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, which provides coupons to buy locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables at participating farmers markets.
New Yorkers can access any of these vital programs by contacting their local Office for the Aging using NYSOFA’s directory or by calling the NY Connects helpline at 800.342.9871. Learn more about the program and application information on NYSOFA’s nutrition assistance page.
About NYSOFA
NYSOFA works to help the state’s 4.6 million older adults be as independent as possible for as long as possible through advocacy, development and delivery of person-centered, consumer-oriented and cost-effective policies, programs and services that support and empower older adults and their families in partnership with the network of public and private organizations that serve them. Stay connected; visit the NYSOFA Facebook page and follow NYSOFA on Twitter, or visit aging.ny.gov.