A new summer cooking class launched today in Mattapan and will continue each Thursday afternoon through Aug. 18. Organizers hope they can help residents prepare healthier, more delicious meals. The program is free for teenagers and will be held in the Mattapan Teen Center from 3 until 5:30p.m.

Mattapan Flavors will bring teens and elders of the community together and explore the neighborhood’s rich food and culture and learn recipes and culinary skills.

“Mattapan residents are known to have the highest obesity rate. There are high rates of diabetes, heart disease, and so much more,” said Vivien Morris, Chair of Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition. “This program will make healthy foods available for the young because fast food has become the norm for them.”

The program is hoped to benefit both generations, the teens and seniors. For the teens they will be able to experience other cultures other than their own and also gain some basic cooking skills. As for the seniors, they are able to pass down and teach the youth their traditions and cultures as well as sharing their knowledge on how food from the farm can be made into delish dishes.

Each week will consist of a different cultural theme.

“For example, an African-American woman from Georgia will be coming in sharing dishes such as cornbread, collard greens, etcetera,” shared Shavel’le Olivier, co-chair of Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition. She said the program got its name because of the different cultures in the Mattapan community such as Dominican, Haitian, Jamaican, and many others.

Chef Didi Emmons, who will help each week, played a role in the creation of Mattapan Flavors. A grant from the Harvard Pilgrim Foundation is helping to fund the initiative.

The Brookwood Community Farm — which has been working alongside Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition since they first started back in 2006— will provide the produce each week.

Teens will also get to visit the farm itself to see how the produce they prepare is grown, according to Mark Smith, co-founder and president of the board at Brookwood Community Farm.

Space is limited. For more information about the program or to inquire about registering, call 617-433-7050.