Robert F. Kennedy Jr., secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, announced a new initiative aimed at teaching Americans how to cook and eat home-prepared meals as part of his broader Make America Healthy Again program.

The initiative, unveiled alongside USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins and Dr. Ben Carson, the USDA’s national nutrition adviser, is part of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans Strategic Partnerships. The effort seeks private-sector support in educating the public about nutrition and the benefits of cooking at home.

Kennedy framed home-cooked meals as a “sacred ritual” that can address both health and social challenges. He said teaching Americans to cook could help reduce reliance on fast food and ultra-processed items, which are linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. “Every American can feed themselves cheaper than fast food,” Kennedy said.

A YouGov survey cited by Kennedy found that just over a third of Americans cook daily, while 40% cook a few times per week. Studies show that home food preparation helps reduce consumption of unhealthy, processed meals, but overall time spent cooking has remained relatively stable despite an increase in the number of people cooking.

Kennedy noted that many Americans lack the skills, tools, and knowledge to cook at home. He suggested that the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service or other HHS organizations could be deployed to teach cooking directly to citizens.

The program also emphasizes the social and familial benefits of shared meals. Kennedy cited concerns about family breakdown, social isolation, and a “spiritual malaise” in the country, echoing language previously used by former President Donald Trump. “Cooking … and eating together as a family is a sacred ritual,” Kennedy said. “It brings families together for an hour or two, where they talk, interact, work together, and share a meal.”

The initiative reflects Kennedy’s broader focus on nutrition and chronic disease prevention, building on previous HHS efforts to reform dietary guidelines, remove synthetic food dyes, and expand research into metabolism and health outcomes.