The Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op's vision is to provide the benefits of natural foods and products, economic cooperation, and sustainable practices to as many people as possible in the communities we serve. The Co-op Community Learning Center is a venue to help us fulfill our purpose to be a trusted source of natural foods and products and a reliable source for consumer information. Our classes are unique and affordable; and you will notice several free classes offered each month.

Our program offers something for everyone — from our extensive cooking class program to health and well-being seminars to a variety of lectures and panel discussions — to educate our community about important food, family, health and environmental issues.

The Co-op is committed to supporting organic local family farms and small producers of high quality food. We will highlight these growers and producers in our specialty food tastings as well as featuring their organically grown ingredients in our cooking classes.

For a complete list of our classes please visit our class calendar.
Meet Our Instructors

Chefs from our Cooking School share some of their secrets. Learn more by attending one of our classes!

• Chopping an Onion – Chef Dionisio Esperas
• Making and Rolling Pie Crust - Chef Jill Simmons

All classes, lectures, and workshops are held at our Co-op Community Learning Center, unless otherwise noted. The Learning Center is located at 1914 Alhambra Blvd., adjacent to the Co-op's store.

Due to limited space, we ask that class participants do not park in the Co-op’s store parking lot. Thank you for your cooperation!

If you are looking to a private team-building event for your office, or simply a unique, fun event for friends, we provide a hands-on cooking class that would be a perfect gathering.

Our instructors focus on cooperation and communication. Your group will prepare and enjoy a delicious four-course meal. Call Terese Hollander-Esperas, SNFC program coordinator, (916) 736-6800, ext. 146.

The Co-op seeks creative, fun and energetic instructors for its cooking school and learning center curriculum.  The first step is to submit a course proposal and some information that lets us know about your ideas and experience with the topic.

Our assistant program is a great way to learn and save money! Sign up (on a first-come, first-serve basis) and attend for 50% off!

Prep Assistants: Prep Assistants arrive 90 minutes prior to class to assist the teacher. They also assist during the class.

Clean-up Assistants: Clean-up Assistants assist the instructor with clean-up, for about an hour  to a hour and a half after the class.

We are proud to offer many kids and teens cooking classes geared especially for youngsters. Our regular cooking classes are structured for more mature audiences. If you would like your child to attend an adult cooking class with you, please request prior approval from the Customer Service Desk.

In some cases, we make exceptions for mature teenagers to attend adult classes. In these cases, you will need to gain prior approval, and fill out a waver/consent form for your child. All students must be at least 21 years old to attend wine/beer pairing classes and seasonal dinners. For more information fill out the form on this page.

We kindly ask that babies and small children are not brought to class.

All students under 18 years of age must have their parents fill out a waiver/consent form for each cooking class. Print out this form and bring with you to class! Please download the form here.

Students over 21 years will be offered a complimentary glass of wine during cooking classes. We are sorry but students are not permitted to bring in their own alcohol.