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By Charlotte Underwood
LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- Postmark LaFollette Director Heather Chadwell guest spoke at Tuesday’s Campbell County Rotary Club luncheon held at the LaFollette Methodist Church.
Chadwell spoke about Knoxville’s Little Chef, Big Change program.
The non-profit has brought its after-school healthy cooking program to Campbell County public schools for the first time. Beginning this past February, students at LaFollette Middle School and Wynn Elementary School participated in interactive cooking classes designed to build lifelong skills and confidence in the kitchen. The program will move to the Postmark LaFollette in the summer months.
The after-school program offers “fully hands-on cooking classes where students learn fundamental cooking skills, nutrition literacy, and teamwork while preparing and sharing healthy meals. Over the course of each series, students cook complete recipes, try new foods, and take recipes home to prepare with their families.”
Little Chefs, Big Change “works primarily in Title I schools and community centers, partnering with local educators and volunteers to create welcoming, supportive learning environments. The organization’s programming emphasizes practical skills like measuring, chopping, reading recipes, and cooking safely, while also encouraging curiosity and confidence around new foods.”
According to organizers, the expansion into Campbell County is supported by a grant from the state health department, the Siddiqi Foundation, community partnerships and volunteers who work alongside lead instructors to guide students through each class.
Little Chefs, Big Change, believes “everyone deserves access to healthy foods and recognizes that even incremental changes towards a healthy diet can positively impact physical and mental health. They acknowledge the importance of exposing children to various foods, which can help prevent pickiness and promote a lifetime of healthy eating.”
Community members interested in volunteering with the Campbell County program can learn more and sign up here.
For more information about the program, or to sign up for volunteering, contact info@littlechefsbigchange.org. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-05/18/2026-6AM-PHOTOS SUBMITTED)