Sonoma Family Meal was founded in 2017 in response to the need for meals by displaced families and first responders during the Tubbs fire. Their mission has since evolved. Sonoma Family Meal cultivates community and creates opportunities by providing job training, quality emergency meals and support for the local food ecosystem. It is committed to strengthening the local food economy and nourishing the local community in times of crisis and stability. The 2022 Impact Community grant they received will soon be put into action. In May they will launch their first 12-week culinary job training program at their new kitchen in Petaluma. This includes 8-week hands on trainings and 4-week internships, followed by supported job placement. This program is for Sonoma County’s underserved community (e.g. low income, those identifying as female, BIPOC, Latinx). One goal is to provide a pathway to employment leading to greater economic wellbeing for students and their families. A second goal is to meet the local food business’ critical workforce needs by increasing the local culinary workforce.

The beneficiaries of the project will be: 1) low income students acquiring marketable skills and employment, 2) local food producers selling food to SFM for this project, 3) food-insecure community members who will receive nutrient dense and culturally-appropriate meals year round, 4) the environment – SFM utilizes rescued food and practices composting. Check out what they do in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWViIiqahu4. Volunteers are currently needed to help with meal preparation Monday through Friday from 10 to 4 in the SFM Petaluma kitchen. Sign up at their website: https://www.sonomafamilymeal.org/volunteer.