A stocked pantry is a good start; Knowing how to turn those ingredients into a satisfying meal can make all the difference…
Central Wyoming College and One22 Resource Center are helping local families bridge that gap through “Community Eats: Collaborative Cooking with Pantry Staples.” The new initiative pairs practical culinary education with affordable ingredients to make cooking at home feel more approachable.
The project includes 12 tested recipes built around ingredients commonly available through One22’s no-cost food pantry, the Jackson Cupboard. The collection features four breakfast recipes, four lunch recipes and four dinner recipes. Printed recipe cards and digital downloads will be available in both English and Spanish.
Practical Skills for Real Kitchens
Community Eats grew from a partnership between Central Wyoming College and One22. The recipes were created and tested by staff from both organizations, CWC adjunct chef instructors, community members and hospitality students from Jackson Hole High School and Summit Innovations School. The goal is not to create complicated meals with long ingredient lists. Instead, the project shows home cooks how familiar pantry staples can be turned into nourishing, affordable dishes.
“Community Eats is a wonderful example of what can happen when education and community come together with a shared purpose,” said Amy Madera, dean of Central Wyoming College in Jackson. Madera said the partnership reflects the college’s belief that learning extends beyond the classroom. By sharing practical cooking skills, CWC faculty, students and community partners can help families build confidence while strengthening connections throughout Jackson.
That emphasis on useful, community-based education is central to the project. Central Wyoming College’s hospitality and culinary programs bring professional knowledge to the table, while students gain a chance to put their skills to work for the broader community.
Cooking With Affordability in Mind
Food prices continue to place pressure on household budgets. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that grocery prices in May were 2.7% higher than one year earlier. Restaurant and other food-service prices rose 3.5% during the same period. The USDA expects food-at-home prices to increase 2.8% overall in 2026, compared with a projected 3.6% increase for food away from home.
Cooking at home can help families stretch ingredients across several meals and make better use of food already sitting in the cupboard. It also gives home cooks greater control over portions, ingredients, sodium, added sugar and fats. Community Eats makes that process easier by starting with accessible ingredients and a clear plan.
More Than a Recipe Collection
Central Wyoming College also sees cooking as a way to connect.
“Food has an incredible ability to bring people together,” said Justin Stone, director of hospitality and culinary programs at Central Wyoming College.
Stone said the project helps people build confidence in the kitchen while showing that nutritious, satisfying meals can begin with simple pantry ingredients. It also gives CWC students and faculty a meaningful way to serve the community through culinary education. The recipes highlight the range of foods available through the Jackson Cupboard, including fresh produce, meat, cheese and dry goods. Each dish was developed with practicality, dignity and flexibility in mind.
Sample the Recipes at Bite Nights
Central Wyoming College and One22 will celebrate the project with two “Community Eats — Bite Nights.” Community members can sample featured dishes, collect recipe cards and sign up to receive the complete recipe booklet. Complimentary ingredient bags will also be available to the first 50 participants at each event, while supplies last.
The first Bite Night will take place tonight from 2-5 p.m. at Teton County Library. The second will be held from 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, July 21, at the Teton County/Jackson Recreation Center.
The events are designed to send participants home with more than dinner inspiration. With recipes, ingredients and new kitchen skills in hand, families can recreate the featured meals on their own.
Learning That Nourishes the Community
Community Eats offers a practical response to a challenge many households know well: figuring out how to make affordable food taste good, feel satisfying and support a healthy lifestyle. Through the partnership, Central Wyoming College is bringing culinary education out of the classroom and into everyday kitchens. The result is a collection designed not simply to feed people for one evening, but to build knowledge and confidence that can last.
