Nearly 10 years ago, a new asset was added to the Hormel Historic Home in the form of a commercial kitchen.

The kitchen is used in its obvious function for event catering, but our organization sees it as a resource for the community as well. We’ve dabbled in cooking presentations and classes, but our aim is for the kitchen to reach a broader part of our community. In September 2018, we featured a presentation by registered dietician Jen Haugen about the benefits of a high protein diet.

On Feb. 7, Haugen will offer a presentation entitled the “Cancer Fighting Kitchen.” These types of presentations will showcase how being mindful of what we eat can have a positive impact on our health.

A new partnership is capitalizing on the HHH kitchen and reaching further into the community. The University of Minnesota Extension office is using our kitchen to teach a course called “Cooking Matters.” This program is a hands-on course meant to empower families with the skills to be self-sufficient in the kitchen and to make healthy meals on a $10 budget. With a proven curriculum and the passion of volunteers and participants, the program will benefit many.

Historically speaking, this type of programming is not new to the HHH. Throughout the 30s, many presentations were offered by the YWCA about the importance of healthy cooking. On Jan. 20, 1933, the Austin Daily Herald printed the YWCA notes which described a course on nutrition.

“How can I know that my meals are well balanced? Just what foods must be included in the daily diet to insure proper health? These and many other questions will be answered by Mrs. Q.W. Wallace who will speak on ‘Balanced Meals and Table Service’… This is the first of a series of helpful talks that will be given five weeks in succession by home women interested in the work of the Young Women’s Christian Association.”

The well balanced meal concerns every individual, from the one who must select food each day at some eating place, to the housekeeper or her helper who plans the family meals in the home. A few suggestive menus will be discussed Monday night and questions may be asked by those who attend.

The HHH interest in allowing our kitchen to serve the community is also based on the interest of The Thomas D. Hormel Foundation. With their grant funding, we will invest in the continued preservation of the home as well as in implementing programming that is important to Mr. Tom Hormel. A healthy diet is something he values, and so do we.

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What’s happening at the HHH

Harris Music Contest Awards and Community Concert

• 4 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 2 at the Paramount Theatre
• Enjoy performances by the area’s best young musicians. Free.

Cancer Fighting Kitchen

• 11 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 7
• Presented by Jen Haugen. Free.

History Happy Hour: History of the Hormel Institute presented by Andy Lucas

• 5:30 p.m. social, 6 p.m. presentation, Monday, Feb. 11
• Free for members of the HHH, Mower County Historical Society and Friends of the Library. $5 for non-members.Donations will be accepted for the Paint the Town Pink fundraising efforts.