Kitchens For Good

THE ORGANIZATIONS MISSION IS TO USE FOOD TO TRANSFORM LIVES AND NOURISH COMMUNITIES BY PROVIDING PEOPLE WITH THE SKILLS AND SUPPORT TO LAUNCH MEANINGFUL CAREERS.

PROJECT NOURISH: THIS PROGRAM RESCUES SOME SURPLUS AND COSMETICALLY IMPERFECT FOOD FROM WHOLESALERS AND FARMERS AND TRANSFORMS THESE INGREDIENTS INTO NUTRITIOUS MEALS FOR VULNERABLE POPULATIONS. THIS YEAR PROJECT NOURISH DISTRIBUTED 225,472 NUTRITIOUS MEALS, PREPARED BY THE ORGANIZATIONS CULINARY APPRENTICES, STAFF, AND VOLUNTEERS. THE ORGANIZATION DISTRIBUTES THESE HEALTHY MEALS TO HIGH-NEED POPULATIONS INCLUDING AT RISK YOUTH, LOW-INCOME SENIORS, AND VARIOUS HOMELESS AND LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL NONPROFIT AGENCIES.

PROJECT LAUNCH: THE ORGANIZATION CONDUCTS A 20-MONTH CULINARY APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM FOR POPULATIONS THAT ARE CONSIDERED TO BE DIFFICULT TO EMPLOY: YOUTH WHO HAVE AGED OUT OF THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM, INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE PREVIOUSLY BEEN INCARCERATED AND ADULTS WHO ARE UNDEREMPLOYED AND LACK EDUCATION. GRADUATES RECEIVETECHNICAL CULINARY EDUCATION, INDUSTRY CERTIFICATION AND INTERNSHIP AND JOB PLACEMENT SERVICES AT NO COST TO THE INDIVIDUAL. IN SEPTEMBER 2020 THE ORGANIZATION ADDED TWO NEW TRACKS TO THE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM, INCLUDING BAKING AND FOOD SERVICE MANAGEMENT. THE ORGANIZATION TAKES A WHOLE-PERSON APPROACH TO VOCATIONALTRAINING, INCORPORATING TECHNICAL TRAINING, NUTRITION EDUCATION, RESUME WRITING AND FINANCIAL LITERACY. AS PART OF THE PROGRAM, APPRENTICES GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY BY PREPARING NUTRITIOUS MEALS OUT OF RESCUED AND DONATED FOOD FOR HUNGER RELIEF PARTNERS.

PROJECT KITCHEN: THIS IS THE ORGANIZATIONS ON-SITE AND OFF-SITE CATERING AND EVENTS OPERATION AND THE CONCESSION AND RESTAURANT OPERATION AT THE MOONLIGHT AMPHITHEATER IN THE CITY OF VISTA. PROJECT KITCHEN IS A REVENUE GENERATING PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES HEALTHY, LOCALLY SOURCED MEALS TO THE ORGANIZATIONS NON-PROFIT PARTNERS,CORPORATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS. PROJECT KITCHENS MOST IMPORTANT ROLE IS THE IMPACT IT HAS ON THE PROJECT LAUNCH APPRENTICES AND GRADUATES. IT PROVIDES APPRENTICES WITH EDUCATIONAL LESSONS, MENTORSHIP AND REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE THROUGH 5 - 15 HOURS A WEEK OF ON THE JOB TRAINING. PROJECT KITCHENS CATERING ENTERPRISE ENDED OPERATIONS BECAUSE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, IN MARCH 2020. THE MOONLIGHT AMPHITHEATER OPERATION WAS CLOSED IN DECEMBER 2020, DUE TO THE PANDEMIC. THE ORGANIZATION HAS PLANS TO LAUNCH NEW REVENUE GENERATING ENTERPRISES NEXT YEAR.