Clayton Library Cooks up Excitement with New Cooking Programs
Hocutt-Ellington Memorial Library is looking to expand its offerings by introducing more programs centered around cooking. Staff notice a growing interest from the community and are actively exploring ways to meet that demand.
“The library is a great resource for information sharing,” said Mardia Jacobs, Adult Services Program Coordinator. “It’s the hub of the community, and what a great place to come and get it.”
On Wednesday, September 25, the library hosted From Freezer to Crockpot, a hands-on cooking workshop for adults. The program featured practical demonstrations and a taste test, showing attendees how to turn freezer staples into delicious crockpot meals with fresh, seasonal produce.
“Not all community members know what’s local around here,” Jacobs added. “This program helps them connect with local farmers. You don’t always have to go to the grocery store or Raleigh – we have great options right here in our own backyards.”
One attendee, Jean Allman, found the topic especially relevant. “I decided to come because I do have a slow cooker at home, but I’m not using it very much. It’s just my husband and me. When I saw the program and some information about local farms, I was very interested in trying to buy more local produce and learning more about the area. I’ve only lived in Clayton five years.”
The program connected attendees with Gwen Williams, Family and Consumer Science Extension Agent for Johnston County, from the North Carolina Cooperative Extension, who shared tips and prepared dishes for the group.
“How to use local foods and things maybe they have harvested from their gardens or purchased from the farmers market,” Williams explained. “Maybe they have an abundance of something and aren’t sure how to use it – I want to show them creative ways to make it work.”
Williams hoped that by the end of the presentation, attendees would see how easy and healthy it is to prepare freezer meals. “They can do some prep work ahead of time, put it in before they leave for work, and have a meal ready with plenty of vegetables,” she said.
She also shared a recipe for Crockpot Calico Chili, showing attendees how versatile it can be by tweaking the ingredients to fit their preferences. “We’re adding kale because a lot of our farmers grow kale, and people don’t always know what to do with it except make kale chips. So, you’re going to add that kale at the end, but you don’t have to. You can add spinach, escarole, or nothing at all.”
After her presentation, Williams handed out samples of the chili for everyone to enjoy.
“I’m really glad that the library is offering community activities,” said Allman. “The topic interested me, and I would love to see more programs like this one.”
The library hopes to meet that request and others by offering more cooking programs for all ages in the future.
“I would love for the library to have a teaching kitchen,” Jacobs shared. “I hope it grows from starting with our kids, teaching them how to make healthy meals instead of reaching for chips or cookies, to all ages working together as a family unit.”
To learn more about the library’s upcoming programs and how it continues to serve the community, visit claytonlibrarync.org.
