SOWELA Offering Culinary Medicine at Fort Polk this Fall
Jul 14, 2026 02:08PM ● By Kelsey Swire
Culinary Medicine Meet-and-Greet Scheduled for Tuesday, July 21, at Fort Polk USO
SOWELA Technical Community College will offer its Culinary Medicine program at Fort Polk this fall, expanding access to a unique educational opportunity that combines culinary arts and healthcare. Registration is currently open, and interested individuals are encouraged to enroll soon as seating is limited.
SOWELA is the first community college in Louisiana to offer an evidence-based Culinary Medicine program, which blends the art of food preparation with the science of nutrition and medicine to help prevent and manage chronic diseases.
“We’re excited to bring Culinary Medicine to Fort Polk and make this innovative program accessible to military personnel, their families and the surrounding community," said SOWELA Culinary Medicine Instructor Stephanie Stanfield. "Students learn how nutrition and food preparation can positively influence health outcomes while developing valuable skills that translate across healthcare, hospitality and wellness professions.”
Culinary Medicine is a growing field that emphasizes the role of food in promoting health and wellness. Students learn nutrition principles, meal planning, cooking techniques and food preparation skills while exploring the impact of ingredients and dietary choices on overall health. Instruction combines online coursework with hands-on experiences in a teaching kitchen setting.
The program focuses on disease prevention and the management of chronic health conditions while considering factors such as food access, environment, cultural preferences and individual needs. Students gain practical skills that can be applied in healthcare, foodservice and community wellness settings.
“As one part of the Army’s Performance Triad (Sleep, Activity and Nutrition), the Army Education Center at Fort Polk is happy to partner with SOWELA in offering this program,” said Fort Polk Education Services Officer Dr. Glenn McMann. “The health of our soldiers and their family members is paramount in the Army’s mission and establishing programs that both contribute to the Army’s overall health and the education of our community is a win-win all around!”
Culinary Medicine is available as a concentration within SOWELA’s Culinary Arts Associate of Applied Science degree program or as a standalone Technical Diploma. Coursework is delivered online and complemented by in-person teaching kitchen experiences.
Classes will be held at the Education Center on Fort Polk and are open to military personnel, family members, healthcare professionals, hospitality workers and community members interested in nutrition, wellness and preventative health practices.
Interested individuals can attend the Culinary Medicine Meet-and-Greet on Tuesday, July 21, from 11 a.m. - Noon at the Fort Polk USO, Fort Polk USO Building, 8403 H Ave., Fort Polk, LA 71459. Attendees will meet faculty, discover career pathways with this training, learn about the Mediterranean Diet Score (Med Diet Score) and more. For more information or to RSVP, visit www.sowela.edu/culinary-medicine.
Registration for Fall 2026 is open, and scholarships and financial aid are available for those who qualify.