Quick Summary
Last month, we visited the Crooked Lake branch of the Anoka County Public Library, where we sat (and even participated) in their wildly popular class, “Senior Chef: Cooking for One (or Two!)” A response to a community need, this class helps promote community building among senior patrons, through cooking healthy meals.
Crooked Lake Library is always finding ways to engage its patrons and create a space for everyone. Originally Gethsemane Baptist Church, Crooked Lake Library has been serving its community in Coon Rapids since 1973. After a remodeling in 1986, the building includes a "Play and Learn" space and a community meeting room. This library also focuses on fostering community through unique programming, the most recent example being its senior cooking class.
When library staff noticed the absence of community among senior patrons, they took action. This resulted in “Senior Chef: Cooking for One (or Two!),” a cooking class in partnership with Hannah Ender, a dietitian with Regions Hospital and Crooked Lake Library patron. Facilitated by branch manager, Becky Walpole, this class aims to help foster connections, build relationships, and develop a sense of belonging, all while learning fun recipes to take back home.
After observing, and eventually hopping in on the action - it is easy to see why this class is so popular. Hannah provided expertise and encouragement, while participants brought their eagerness to learn to the table. In this 1.5-hour class, participants prepare and enjoy nutrient-rich recipes selected by Hannah, such as Dill Chicken Soup, and get a meal to take home, with the library supplying fresh, often organic, ingredients. Staff also facilitate and encourage conversations, with Hannah answering questions. Some popular topics of discussion included “Does tofu cause breast cancer?", "Can you freeze couscous?", and "How would I alter this if I don't like flax seed?" It was hard to not get sucked into the conversation, as everyone was very welcoming. Despite half of the class (including me and Minitex Director Maggie Snow) being new, it felt like being in a room with close friends. There have been four classes to date, all with perfect attendance, and with everyone leaving happy (and full).
So how is this library with no kitchen able to host a cooking class? This cooking class is made possible through the Charlie Cart Project. This program provides a mobile cart to community organizations that serve as a portable kitchen with a functioning sink, induction burner, and other necessary tools. They aim to promote healthy eating through hands-on experience and access to instruction.
Full disclosure: This project was pioneered by my fellow Minitex attendee, Maggie Snow, during her time working with Anoka County Library.
Becky Walpole described the community they serve as increasingly diverse, with their goal being to provide an array of programming and resources to serve all their patrons. This includes additional cooking classes for families and their adaptive cooking class for teens with special needs. Additionally, they host storytimes, movie nights, arts and crafts, and game nights. They also work to provide community resources, such as their reading bridge program that seeks to close the reading gap, and computer literacy classes for anyone who needs them.
