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We couldn’t be more excited to start the new school year. This semester, we’ll be chopping, stirring, sautéeing and simmering in 28 classrooms across six Bay Area counties and we’ve welcomed three new instructors to meet the demand. We’ve also been busy over the summer, refining new recipes and updating our website accordingly. Take a look by clicking here, we’ve got all sorts of healthy, delicious and affordable recipes for you to try. On top of this, we’re proud to announce our collection of promo videos which we put together using footage from our recent classes. You can see why some of our donors choose to donate by watching the video linked here, or you can click here to see more videos, including what goes on in a typical cooking session.
We remain committed to reversing the rising prevalence of diet-related diseases by teaching as many at-risk kids and teens as we can about the incredible health benefits of eating and cooking fresh, and we’re so grateful that you stand behind us. We couldn’t do it without you. Be well!
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Warm wishes,
Lara Rajninger
Executive Director
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New Special Education Curriculum | |
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We’re thrilled to announce that the special education students at Redwood High School enjoyed and benefited from our healthy cooking classes so much that the school asked us to develop a year long life skills curriculum.
Healthy cooking and nutrition know-how fosters practical life skills such as budgeting, planning, teamwork and shopping. It also encourages lifelong healthy habits in all students, including those in special education. Our instructors have experience of working with both adults and kids with learning differences, and we’d be happy to make a difference in your classroom or learning space too.
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From September 15th to October 15th we’ll be celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. The South American influence on our art, music, architecture and culture is far reaching. But of course, food is the one closest to our hearts and we work hard to bring culturally familiar dishes into our classrooms. In California, nearly half of the population under 17 are Hispanic/Latinx, and this demographic is projected to make up over a third of the US labor force by 2060. Hispanic students earned 25.4% of associate degrees in 2021, and Latino business owners contribute significantly to the U.S. economy, generating $460 billion in revenue.
However, the community faces challenges, including overrepresentation in low-wage jobs, fewer benefits, and significantly higher poverty rates. Health disparities are evident, with higher obesity and diabetes rates, influenced by an amalgamation of genetic, dietary, cultural and socioeconomic factors. Food deserts, under-resourced neighborhoods and limited healthcare access are also factors. Tailored programs that take these issues into account have been shown to make a significant difference. We are passionate about empowering all our students with healthy and affordable cooking and nutritional knowledge so they have the means to radically improve their long term health outcomes.
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Welcome to Our Dominican University Nursing Students | |
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We're thrilled to welcome this year's nursing students from Dominican University who are completing their Community Health clinicals by assisting in our classrooms. Pictured from left to right, alongside members of our team, are, Jasmine, Amanda, Rachel, Cat, Angelica, Kelsey, Kailani, Jewel, and Christine.
Thank you ALL of you but especially to our nursing students, Kelsey, Kailani, Angelica, Jasmine, and Jewell. Among our team members, Amanda, is a generous volunteer, Rachel is a classroom assistant, Cat is our instructor and Christine is the classroom teacher, and also a KCL Advisor.
Helping to improve community health significantly changes lives and we are so grateful for the invaluable help the Dominican University of California, School of Nursing provides.
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A Huge Thank You to Fresh Approach | |
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A HUGE thank you to Fresh Approach who provided us with $2,000 in VeggieRx vouchers; that's $20 for each of 100 of our students. VeggieRx vouchers can be spent at a selection of local farmers markets and allow children and their families from under-resourced communities, to choose their own selection of the freshest (and tastiest) produce around for free. Fresh Approach is actively providing Fruit and Veggie Rx’s in the Bay Area. We’re thrilled to be able to pass the vouchers on to our students to encourage their appreciation of, and curiosity around, fresh produce and all its associated health benefits.
A study pooling data across 22 Fruit and Veggie RX program locations in the United States showed that increased fruit and vegetable intake resulted in clinically relevant improvements in glycated hemoglobin, blood pressure, and body mass index among adults with poor cardiometabolic health. It also showed a decrease in food insecurity.
THANK YOU so much Fresh Approach for helping to improve lives and community health. Fresh produce is the BEST preventive medicine and we want to see these Veggie Rx’s everywhere!
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Instructor Profile - Marcos Gulati | |
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We're thrilled to welcome our new instructor, Marcos Gulati, who will be teaching at Martin Luther King Elementary school, in Marin City. Marcos has a Bachelors in Environmental Design, and loves the human centered aspect of this field. Cooking for Marcos has always been a way of connecting with people and expressing love, kindness, and sharing experiences in a creative and fun way. Marcos is a home chef who learned from a young age the cuisines from both his Spanish and Indian heritage. He also loves to experiment and explore with his own recipes. He enjoys cooking for himself and his loved ones and working with kids. Marcos is an athlete and loves gardening. Our students love Marcos (or Chef Marker as he is fondly called), he's an invaluable member of our team, and we're thrilled to have him on board.
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Due to the huge success of our Friendraiser event last year, we’re planning another one for December 4th, from 5:30-7:30 pm, in Mill Valley. We’re in the early days of planning now, but keep an eye out for an official Invitation from us in mid-October. We’d love to see you there.
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Recipe for Mexican Corn Salad (Esquites) | |
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This tangy salad is a popular street food in Mexico. It's easy, affordable and kid approved. Corn is always popular, because of it’s naturally sweet taste. Add yogurt, chile, jalapenos, and cotija cheese and ENJOY, because that’s what it’s all about!
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"Bean and cheese quesadillas with pico de gallo. It’s crunchy and stretchy. 100 out of 10!."
Junior Chef in Oakland.
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