Dr. Sharine P. Forbes D-FNP (BC), MSG, BSN, BA, RN of Los Angeles believes that the foundation of a healthier society begins with food literacy introduced at an early age. In her vision for empowered and resilient communities, food is not merely sustenance but a tool for education, self-sufficiency, and social equity. As a passionate advocate for systemic change in how children interact with food, Dr. Sharine Forbes, D-FNP (BC) sees the integration of cooking and nutrition education into school curriculums as an urgent and necessary shift. The challenges faced by communities suffering from diet-related health issues and limited food access are deeply rooted in a lack of foundational food knowledge. That knowledge, Dr. Sharine Forbes, D-FNP (BC) of Los Angeles argues, must start in schools if we want to truly transform public health outcomes and community wellbeing.
In communities where fast food is more accessible than fresh produce, and where families struggle with time, finances, or knowledge to prepare healthy meals, the absence of food literacy has severe consequences. Dr. Sharine Forbes, D-FNP (BC) of Los Angeles emphasizes that early exposure to cooking and food education can disrupt this cycle. By teaching children how to select, prepare, and understand the food they eat, schools can empower future generations to make informed decisions that positively impact their long-term health. According to Dr. Sharine Forbes, D-FNP (BC), this is not about training children to become chefs but about giving them the confidence and competence to care for themselves nutritionally. She argues that when children understand where their food comes from and how it affects their bodies, they develop not only healthier habits but a deeper respect for their environment and community.
Dr. Sharine Forbes, D-FNP (BC) of Los Angeles is particularly passionate about food literacy as a tool for addressing health disparities in marginalized communities. In many urban areas, food deserts limit access to nutritious ingredients, and unhealthy diets contribute to higher rates of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. By embedding food education into the core curriculum, schools have the potential to serve as a counterbalance to these external pressures. Dr. Sharine Forbes, D-FNP (BC) believes that students who learn how to cook and plan meals are better equipped to navigate these food landscapes and are more likely to bring this knowledge home to their families. This ripple effect, according to Dr. Sharine Forbes, D-FNP (BC) of Los Angeles, is one of the most powerful arguments for incorporating food literacy into public education policy.
One of the most overlooked aspects of teaching kids to cook is the way it cultivates a sense of belonging and community. Dr. Sharine Forbes, D-FNP (BC) of Los Angeles often highlights the communal nature of food as a bonding experience. When children collaborate in the kitchen, they learn not only cooperation and communication but also empathy and cultural appreciation. Dr. Sharine Forbes, D-FNP (BC) supports initiatives where students from diverse backgrounds prepare meals from various culinary traditions, fostering mutual respect and understanding. She maintains that through food, we can teach children about history, geography, and sociology in a tangible and engaging way, connecting them more deeply to the world around them.
Dr. Sharine Forbes, D-FNP (BC) of Los Angeles challenges the notion that schools should only focus on academic achievement. Instead, she advocates for a holistic approach to education where physical, mental, and emotional health are given equal weight. In her view, food literacy is a foundational element of this approach. Schools that incorporate cooking classes and nutrition education into their programs are not only promoting healthier eating habits but are actively preventing chronic illnesses. Dr. Sharine Forbes, D-FNP (BC) points out that such preventative education saves public health systems millions in future costs, while also enhancing the quality of life for students. She stresses that healthy children are better learners, more focused, and more confident—all outcomes that support academic success as well.
The advocacy work of Dr. Sharine Forbes, D-FNP (BC) of Los Angeles extends beyond the classroom. She urges policymakers, school boards, and community leaders to recognize the long-term value of food education and to invest in resources and training that support this shift. Dr. Sharine Forbes, D-FNP (BC) is a proponent of public-private partnerships that bring chefs, farmers, nutritionists, and educators together to build comprehensive food literacy programs. She emphasizes the importance of not placing the burden solely on teachers but creating a community-supported model that is sustainable and inclusive. In her outreach, Dr. Sharine Forbes, D-FNP (BC) of Los Angeles underscores that change is most successful when it reflects the voices and needs of the communities it intends to serve.
For Dr. Sharine Forbes, D-FNP (BC) of Los Angeles, the mission to teach children about food is deeply personal. Having witnessed the devastating impact of poor nutrition on families and the transformative power of cooking knowledge, she has dedicated her career to bridging the gap between education and health. Her programs and community engagements are infused with the belief that food literacy can be a gateway to dignity, agency, and equality. By equipping children with these essential life skills, Dr. Sharine Forbes, D-FNP (BC) envisions a generation that not only eats better but lives with greater purpose and connection.
Dr. Sharine Forbes, D-FNP (BC) of Los Angeles insists that making food literacy universal in schools requires a cultural shift. It demands that society reevaluate the role of education and acknowledge that teaching children how to nourish themselves is just as vital as teaching them to read or do math. She believes that as communities begin to see the success of food literacy programs—in improved student health, stronger family bonds, and more resilient neighborhoods—momentum will grow. Dr. Sharine Forbes, D-FNP (BC) is committed to leading this change from the grassroots to the policy level, using her platform to inspire both action and hope.
Dr. Sharine Forbes, D-FNP (BC) of Los Angeles knows that when children learn to cook, they learn to care—for themselves, for others, and for the communities they will one day lead. That is why Dr. Sharine Forbes, D-FNP (BC) continues to champion food literacy as a vital part of every child’s education and every community’s future.
