06/20/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/20/2025 08:33
In an unassuming cabinet at the La Crescent Public Library, director Jess Witkins shuffles through a trove of cooking equipment. There are pots and pans, blenders, measuring cups and even an Instant Pot. It's all brand new, and a grant awarded to the library made it all possible.
But why are all these things at a library?
It's thanks to a new partnership between the All of Us Research Program at Emplify Heath by Gundersen and the La Crescent Public Library. Together, they've launched an ongoing series of nutrition-focused cooking demonstrations aimed at promoting health and wellness in the community.
The initiative began thanks to a $7,000 grant from the Network of the National Library of Medicine that provided funding for the series, which features cooking demonstrations and health education led by Emplify Health by Gundersen culinary medicine specialist Anna Kitzmann, MD. The La Crescent Library and All of Us co-wrote the grant. All of Us contributed an additional $6,000 in April to extend the series and purchase the cooking materials.
"This collaboration has been incredibly successful," said Sarah Lima, program coordinator for the All of Us Research Program. "Participants have shared about the changes they've made in their eating habits and lifestyles as a result. In addition, some participants have also decided to join the All of Us Research Program."
The connection between the two organizations was initially established by library board member Kelsey Bolton, who worked for All of Us and was aware of the grant. She connected Witkins with an All of Us staff member, and they got to work.
"I'm very much a yes person," Witkins said of why she collaborated with All of Us on the series, "especially when it's something that benefits the community."
The events, which are free and open to the public, focus on healthy eating and combine culinary demos with health education. It begins with an introduction by Witkins and a brief overview of the All of Us program (which participants are not required to sign up for).
That's followed by the cooking demonstration led by Dr. Kitzmann or a guest presenter such as registered dietitian Kayla Sipley or Bao Xiong, president and founder of For Independent Hmong Farmers and host of Cooking with Bao. A social portion follows, where attendees can try the food and ask questions.
Witkins says sessions usually attract 25 to 30 people, and that number is capped, depending on the topic of the day. So far, each session-which is typically 1.5 to 2 hours long-has reached capacity.
"It's probably one of the best programs, in terms of word of mouth and how it's getting out there and how grateful people are for the program," she said. "I hear the most feedback about this program."
People appreciate being able to ask questions and learn new cooking tips, as well as get new safety and shopping tips, Witkins said. Even different health questions about diet can be addressed. But one of the best parts: the food.
"They're getting to try a lot of new foods they may not have tried," Witkins said. "Anna's big on soy and fiber in everyone's diet."
Each presenter curates the menu for the class and includes information on recipe cards attendees get to take with them. Meanwhile, they get to see the important steps of each recipe, how to use different tools, what products are used to create a dish and how to prep the ingredients. Then they eat.
"My big motto is, 'Everyone can learn with their library,' so what's nice about this program is that it's all ages," Witkins said. "We've had people bring their kids, but it's anywhere from 20-somethings who are interested, parents who are trying to figure out easier routines … as well as seniors who are dealing with more health issues and trying to make changes in their lives."
Along with the cooking demos, the La Crescent Library used $1,000 from the grant to expand its catalog, which includes healthy eating and nutrition-related books, plant-based eating and cookbooks-ones Kitzmann helped Witkins select.
That, in turn, has helped the library increase its circulation-people are checking the books out. That's spurred on by the interactions people have with the books while the classes are happening, Witkins said.
A library hosting cooking classes. It isn't a match you might normally imagine, but it's working.
"People understand that it's not a common alliance, per se," Witkins said. "But it's so wonderful that we are able to do this. We're grateful."
"We will celebrate this program for as long as we can."
Because classes fill up, attendees must register ahead of time. Though not regularly scheduled, each upcoming event is advertised on the library's social media pages and on fliers around the library. For more information or to register, call the La Crescent Public Library at (507) 895-4047.