CHESTER, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — Diabetes prevention took center stage in Delaware County as officials rolled out a special program aimed at tackling the disease through cooking classes.

The county will host healthy eating and cooking education classes, aimed at reducing the risk for type 2 diabetes and other health complications, every Wednesday in March at the Keystone First Wellness and Opportunity Center in Chester.

“We’re really happy to offer these classes for people that are prediabetic,” said Lora Werner, deputy director of the Delaware County Health Department. “We’ve known for a while that diabetes rates are elevated in Chester, so that’s specifically why we wanted to work with the community there.”

During these classes, Werner says people will cook dishes like vegetarian chili and receive free groceries, courtesy of Share Food Program donations, to help put them on track to a healthier lifestyle.

She adds the county will have a registered dietitian nutritionist on hand to help people come up with healthy diets that work for them. “[We] really hope that people come away with just tips for keeping themselves and their families healthy,” said Werner.

The classes are free for all Delaware County residents, but people need to preregister by contacting the health department, either by phone at (484) 276-2100 or by email at [email protected].