Collingwood’s grassroots Crock-Pot cooking class is growing and has cooked up some attention from the province’s retired teachers.
The Susan Wells Crock-Pot program received a grant from the Service to Others program operated by Retired Teachers of Ontario’s/ Les enseignantes et enseignants retraités de l’Ontario (RTO/ERO).
The program, overseen food scientist Barb Sneyd, runs two six-week courses per year with weekly classes in how to cook small meals in a Crock-Pot. Participants receive a free Crock-Pot and cutting board as well as all the ingredients for that week’s recipe and a cookbook of 22 recipes. Sneyd runs it with the help of volunteers from Trinity United Church’s kitchen and community hall.
Last year, Carole Allen, president of the local region of RTO/ERO, heard about the Crock-Pot class because local retired teachers were involved in creating and running it. The regional branch of RTO/ERO donated $1,500 to the program.
But the initiative stuck in Allen’s mind, and she encouraged Sneyd to apply for provincial funds through the Service to Others program.
“I think the most striking aspect was the social piece,” said Allen. “It’s bringing people out of being isolated and they’re learning food safety and making friendships.”
The Service to Others program granted the funding request from the Collingwood group to the tune of $3,978, which is the annual cost of the supplies for the classes.
The Susan Wells Crock-Pot program was created in honour of Susan Wells, a member of the Trinity United Church congregation who was killed about nine years ago on a mission in Africa to visit an orphanage.
Sneyd said the program has grown “immensely” over the last year with a weekly class size of about 12 to 18 people. She said the volunteers expected about 10 people.
Those participating in the session receive a free 2.5 quart Crock-Pot at the start of the classes. Each week, Sneyd will walk them through a new recipe and have them prepare the ingredients. They take home the prepped food and put it in their Crock-Pots.
Sneyd left a job at Sick Kids hospital when she moved to Collingwood.
“I felt my career was unfinished,” she said. “This is finishing up my career as a dietician.”
If you’re interested in signing up for a class, or donating funds to the Susan Wells Crock-Pot program, you can contact Barb Sneyd by email here, or by phone at 705-445-0268.
