Student Brings Healthy Cooking to Milford Middle School

A young Milford student wants to bring something a little different to the (dinner) table.

Lily Ayotte, an 8th grader at Milford Middle School, will launch a cooking program this fall to share healthy cooking options with other students.

Ayotte is the New Hampshire Student Ambassador to the Fuel Up to Play 60 (FU2P60), an in-school nutrition and physical education program that encourages students to eat healthy and exercise. She received a $4,000 grant through the program to fund her health-conscious cooking classes.

“One of my biggest passions is cooking,” said Ayotte, “but there was no special effort to address healthy eating in school. That is where I came up with the idea to bring cooking classes after school to show how to make healthy snacks and meals.”

The eight-week programs will run three times during the school year, and will be student-run. Ayotte will take the lead to show her peers how to make healthy smoothies, kale chips and other nutritional options.

Each week will be a different theme. For example, Ayotte will take pizzas and make them healthier by swapping out ingredients and choosing the best vegetables to top them.

Lily’s mother Wendy Ayotte said that she saw students become excited about these alternative cooking options during the pilot program they ran during the previous school year. They responded well to learning from one of their peers.

“The kids really enjoyed it,” she said. “ They loved the idea of preparing, cooking and eating using techniques taught to them by other kids. I don’t know if i could have gotten fifteen 7th graders to eat kale, but Lily could.”

The young cook also likes the fact that she can show her fellow students healthy eating options, instead of just hearing it from parents.

As an ambassador for FU2P60, Ayotte has gone through training to be an advocate for healthy choices. She even joined other ambassadors to meet renowned business leader Warren Buffett to share ideas on wellness in schools.

Back home, Ayotte has received guidance and support from the school nurse, who is her program advisor, along with local businesses and organizations. Food destinations such as Foodees, Yankee Chef and Windows on West Street have offered ingredients and expertise to the program.