MIAMI — For a group of South Florida children, learning about healthy eating starts with picking up a knife, chopping vegetables and getting into the kitchen.
The kids recently gathered to prepare lemon pepper chicken while learning that nutritious meals can also be affordable, familiar and, most importantly, taste good.
Leading the lesson was Ashley Carter, a dietitian, wellness educator and co-founder and director of EatWell Exchange, a nonprofit working to break down financial and social barriers to healthy food.
For Carter, who grew up in Miami’s Liberty City neighborhood, the mission is deeply personal.
“Growing up, both of my parents had diabetes, and unfortunately my mom passed when I was just in high school from complications of diabetes,” Carter said.
That loss helped shape the path she would eventually take.
“Once I became a dietitian, the first thing I wanted to do was start a nonprofit that would teach you how to eat healthy, but most important, include cultural foods and foods that are familiar,” Carter said.
Making healthy food accessible and familiar
That nonprofit became EatWell Exchange.
Since 2017, the organization has reached more than 80,000 people, including children, adults and seniors across South Florida.
EatWell Exchange offers free cooking classes at schools, churches and community events, teaching participants that eating well doesn’t have to mean abandoning the foods and flavors they know.
The goal is to show people that good food can be accessible, affordable and appetizing.
During a recent class, children learned to prepare lemon pepper chicken and vegetables, taking an active role in making their own meals.
“It’s healthy and I love it, and it’s good,” participant Lyric Bailey said.
EatWell Exchange says children who cook their own food are 75% more likely to eat it.
Publix volunteers join Food for Thought effort
The class was also part of Local 10’s Food for Thought campaign, held during Hunger Action Month in September.
Publix donated the ingredients for the meal, while company volunteers worked alongside the children to prep and cook.
“We believe that you should understand the foods that you’re eating and you should understand the nutritional value of the different items, and that starts at a young age,” Publix Media Relations Manager Lindsey Willis said.
For Carter, teaching a child to make healthy choices can have an impact that extends well beyond one meal.
“They are learning skills that are going to protect their entire family for generations to come about healthy eating and wellness,” Carter said.
Looking toward the future
EatWell Exchange currently brings its classes into schools, churches and community events, but Carter has a bigger vision for the organization.
The nonprofit hopes to eventually establish a teaching kitchen where people can gather in a dedicated community space to prepare meals and continue learning about healthy eating.
The effort reflects the mission Carter began after experiencing the loss of her mother — helping others build healthier habits while ensuring that culture, familiarity and flavor still have a place at the table.
To learn more about EatWell Exchange and Local 10’s Food for Thought campaign, click here.
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