The American Heart Association’s Cooking for Healthy Hearts demonstration addresses nutrition, food preparation
(AKRON-CANTON) March 7, 2025 — The American Heart Association, a global force for longer, healthier lives for all, has launched a program in response to food insecurity in the community. Cooking for Healthy Hearts is an educational experience designed to teach the basics of good nutrition, how to prepare healthier meals with an everyday home appliance like a slow cooker, how to reduce sodium and sugar intake and how to prepare meals on a budget from items found at the local food bank or at low cost from a local grocer.
The first Cooking for Healthy Hearts event was hosted at the Summa Health Equity Center on Thursday, February 20, reaching more than 30 families in Summit County thanks to help from Chef Dannika Stevenson with SipSavorSoul. The program was made possible by local funding from the Signet Love Inspires Foundation.
A second Cooking for Healthy Hearts program was then hosted at the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank on Friday, March 7, reaching more than 20 families in Stark County thanks to help from Chef Angela Perkins. This experience was made possible by local funding from the Bill Phillips Legacy Foundation.
“Cardiovascular research has shown just how drastic of an effect dietary choices have on blood pressure, diabetes risk, and cholesterol levels,” said Gabbi Roszman, Community Impact Director for the American Heart Association in Northeast Ohio. “Looking into Community Health Needs Assessments and Health Improvement Plans for Summit and Stark Counties, we can see the dire need for nutrition assistance and education. For those living in the downtown Akron areas (zip codes 4430x), life expectancy is just 66 years, over 11 years lower than that for the state of Ohio. Within the same zip code regions, nearly 100% of people live in an area with low access to healthy foods. For those living in the downtown Canton areas (zip codes 4470x), median income is just $12,000, which is 80% lower than the median income of Ohio of $59,000. Within the same zip code regions, nearly 79% of people live in an area with low access to healthy foods. It is for these reasons that cooking classes and demonstrations are beneficial to our Summit and Stark County communities, aiding in providing residents with the resources and education needed to live a longer, healthier life.”
During the Cooking for Healthy Hearts program, Roszman taught participants how to shop smart on a budget, read a nutrition label, cut out sugars in their diet, identify too much sodium in a recipe/meal and what a serving size looks like. Roszman’s presentation was followed by two live meal preparations by Chef Dannika in Akron and Chef Angela Perkins in Canton. Each attendee went home with a slow cooker, a heart healthy cookbook, cooking utensils and resources to help guide them in making healthier choices in the kitchen.
For tips and recipes for a healthy heart and mind, visit heart.org/eatsmartmonth
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About the American Heart Association:
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, on Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
For Media Inquiries:
Chelsea Caldwell; Communications Director
Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org
