Finding a Future in the Culinary Training Program

Not long ago, Sharin felt discouraged. She loved her job at a grocery store bakery and really wanted to advance. She shared her aspirations with her supervisor. “She said I had to put in years,” Sharin said. “I wanted to do this now.”

Then, her sister showed her a flyer for Second Harvest Food Bank’s Culinary Training Program.

Fighting Summer Hunger Takes Many Forms

Hunger doesn’t take a summer break, and neither do the people who fight it.

All summer long, people connected to Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida – employees, volunteers, donors, supporters and community partners – all have been working to make sure local kids have healthy, nutritious meals while school is out.

These are a few of the voices telling the story of how they are fighting hunger this summer, meeting the moment and filling the gaps left from kids missing school-provided breakfasts and lunches.

Fighting Summer Hunger With Better Rural Access

Summer BreakSpot sites serve up no-cost meals for kids and teens every weekday while school is out.

However, the traditional model of free meals for kids aged 18 and under that are served and eaten onsite twice a day doesn’t work for every family. Sometimes kids are at home instead of in a summer childcare program, or transportation to a feeding site twice a day is not manageable.

With one in six Central Florida kids facing hunger, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida opted to participate in a rural non-congregate feeding pilot program this summer. The program utilizes mobile distributions to reach children without access to traditional sites.

Culinary Arts are a Tool in the Fight Against Hunger

The Culinary Arts are essential in fighting hunger and feeding hope at Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.
In multiple ways, the food bank’s programs heavily involve culinary work, emphasize the importance of good nutrition and demonstrate building community through food.
The Food Bank’s Culinary Training, Medically Tailored Meals and childhood hunger programs, along with Plate Above Catering all contribute to supporting neighbors facing hunger.