One Richmond woman, however, has succeeded in not only getting children and parents to enjoy eating healthier, she's also taught them the value of a healthy lifestyle.

Wendy Huett is the director of Kidz-R-Cookin', an after-school class that travels around Richmond to teach kids how to responsibly make nutritious and tasty food. According to the Kidz-R-Cookin website, the program's mission is to “plant the seeds of health in our children and youth and to positively impact all whom we come in contact with.” 

Huett’s program aims to teach math, science and history to children with programs like"Science and Me," "Math and Me" and "Around the World."

A former middle school teacher who taught Family and Consumer Sciences from 2004 to 2006, Huett has her classes whip up recipes for smoothies, Belgian waffles and stir-fries, using all organic, locally-grown vegetables.. Kidz-R-Cookin' classes make recipes entirely from scratch. The goal to try and show participants that “healthy can be delicious,” Huett said.

Huett also teaches her students about protecting the environment. As well as using all organic food from local farmers, Kidz-R-Cookin' will start using biodegradable containers and utensils starting this fall.

"My motto is reduce, reuse, recycle," Huett said.

Huett believes that even her youngest students can help make the food. Making the food themselves gives children a sense of importance and capability.

"I was amazed at how all these little kids … [were] willing to try different things because they were with their peers," Huett said.

She also hasn't had any disciplinary problems with her students.

"It's like magic that comes over me and carries over to them … once you acknowledge the positive in them … everyone starts on the same plateau," Huett said.

Huett became interested in nutrition as a sophomore in college when she began working in a health food store after her mother was diagnosed with cancer. She also interned with Maryland Cooperative Extension, travelling around holding different cooking programs for youth in classrooms and summer camps. What firmly planted the seeds of Kidz-R-Cookin' was when her son’s summer camp asked her to do a cooking program with the kids three years ago.

"It was very successful … we did very light meals like salads and smoothies and from there it was when I had other centers calling me asking if I could bring my program there," Huett said.

Kidz-R-Cookin' classes focus on kids from the ages of five to 17 and features 12 different programs. Regardless of one's lack of one's lack of cooking experience or a child’s distaste for fruits and vegetables, all are welcome. Huett says that her favorite children to teach are the "finicky ones."

"The parents will come in and say 'oh they won’t touch this' or … this is their first time eating vegetables … the finicky ones, when they say 'I like this now'… it is amazing to hear that." Huett said.

Currently, Huett runs the program with her mother and co-director Joann Huett but since the program is growing, Huett said she may hire more people.

Kidz-R-Cookin' has day rates available and classes that run for one day or one year. Kidz-R-Cookin' also offers discounts for early registration, PTA board members and various holiday and seasonal specials.