Camden County Library Launches 'Food Literacy' Campaign

The Camden County Library System is rolling out its Books and Cooks initiative designed to promote food literacy, particularly in communities such as Camden considered ‘food deserts’ by the US Department of Agriculture.

The library won a grant from the NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development earlier this year based on its proposal to develop and implement a food literacy program.

A centerpiece of the program is a mobile kitchen complemented by a collection of books about nutrition, healthy eating and consumer literacy with iPads and a mobile hotspot available.

The kitchen can be transported to any of the library’s eight branches and other locations to demonstrate cooking techniques and recipes, as needed.

“People can become literate in many different ways,” Camden County Library Director Linda Devlin said. “Food is both a universal language and a universal need that we can use to advance literacy skills across cultures. The versatility of the mobile kitchen will allow us to reach many parts of the county through our branches and off-site through our partners.”

Currently, over 30 classes and workshops are scheduled with more to be planned through May of 2017. They will address audiences with a variety of needs including ESL, basic literacy, nutrition-conscious parents and those seeking to provide healthy meals on a limited budget.

In conjunction with its Books and Cooks project, the Camden County Library System is conducting a food drive beginning Oct. 17.

Each of the library’s eight branches will have clearly marked donation bins. Donations of non-perishable food items will be collected by designated organizations in the area that each branch serves. The food drive is expected to run to May of 2017.

The attached image was provided by the Camden County Library System: Camden County Library Director Linda Devlin proudly displays the library’s mobile kitchen unit that is an integral part of its new Books and Cooks food literacy initiative. (Camden County Library Photo/David Lisa)