Wellness, Good Food, Good Health: Free Diabetes Classes Begin in Barrow County

Wimberly’s Roots is bringing wellness to the table this fall with a new monthly after-work series: UGA’s Right Bite Cooking School.

The first class kicks off Thursday, September 4 at 5:30 PM in the Wimberly’s Roots demonstration kitchen at 163 MLK Jr. Drive, led by UGA Walton Extension Nutritionist Jake Conner.

This free program makes healthy eating simple and enjoyable. Participants will learn diabetes-friendly tips, try easy, tasty recipes, and enjoy live tastings. The classes are open to everyone—whether you’re managing diabetes, aiming to prevent it, or simply looking to adopt healthier eating habits. Each month introduces a new theme and fresh recipes to explore.

The need in Barrow County is significant. With a diabetes death rate of 30.3 per 100,000 residents—well above Georgia’s 21.5 benchmark—more than 1 in 10 adults live with diabetes, over 10% of residents face food insecurity, and nearly 20% of households lack health insurance. Community-based programs like this make wellness accessible to all.

Thanks to support from The Oasis of Winder, CareSource, UGA Nutrition Services, and other local partners, Wimberly’s Roots is also launching Monthly Wellness Tastings starting September 11. These lunchtime events highlight seasonal foods and show how small steps toward healthier eating can lead to lasting wellness.

Registration is free and open now at www.WimberlysRoots.com
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