Empowering Future Generations with Culinary Education

Food insecurity and access to basic needs

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

Research shows that in Los Angeles County, food insecurity as a result of colonized food systems like food deserts, impacts over 2M people. The USDA refers to "food deserts" as regions that have limited access to fresh produce and healthy groceries at affordable prices, making it challenging for residents to find fresh, healthy food options. Socio-economically, most food deserts are found in BIPOC communities and low-income areas. Living in a food desert also has health-related implications such as higher rates of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, which makes nutrition education even more important. Food deserts heighten the challenges faced by lower-income students and Lunch Bunch’s culinary enrichment programs are an effective education and health intervention that leads to long-term health and wellness behavior changes. Oftentimes, the food that students cook in our class is their first or only meal they’ll eat that day.

LBCF provides low-income LA students and families combating colonized food systems with fun, accessible, healthy, and culturally relevant nutrition and culinary arts programming, fostering long-term health and wellness behavior changes. This initiative unfolds in five parts: Partnerships, Curriculum Development, Certified Teacher Training, Program Delivery, and Evaluation. By incorporating certified educators and the expertise of a chef, the program ensures high-quality instruction and the integration of culturally sensitive recipes, fostering a deeper connection to cultural heritage and community health.
LA2050 grant funds will support the hiring and training of 30 teachers, serve 375 students and provide 3,000 meals at the communities of Bright Star, CCNP, and Barrio Action. Bright Star charter schools provide free holistic K-12 education. CCNP advances systemic change to benefit low-income communities. Barrio Action empowers at-risk youth to succeed academically and socially.
Through outreach initiatives, we are dedicated to creating a healthier, more resilient community by addressing the needs of these areas and ensuring our programs are accessible and beneficial to those who need them most. With these grant funds, we will enhance food access by providing a healthy meal option at each lesson, nutritious snacks, valuable education about healthy food choices, and empower individuals to make better decisions regarding nourishment for themselves and their communities.

LBCF's initiatives are set to revolutionize nutrition education and food access in LA County, focusing on low-income families and children living with colonized food systems like food deserts. By emphasizing the importance of nutrition education, we aim to lessen the income-related disparities in after-school program access. We're expanding our reach into underserved schools and neighborhoods to combat food insecurity and improve access to healthy food by providing essential classroom resources, food, and educational tools at no cost.
Our program includes gardening lessons encouraging hands-on learning to deepen the connection to food production enabling students to grow their own fruits and vegetables. This enhances fresh produce access and fosters empowerment and self-sufficiency. Older students can also explore job opportunities and entrepreneurship in the food and health sectors, promoting community change. Ultimately, our efforts will ensure a healthier and equitable LA County.

We measure the impact of our program using quantitative and qualitative methods. We track participation rates, conduct pre and post-class surveys to assess changes in nutritional knowledge and cooking skills, and monitor shifts in participants' eating habits. Feedback is gathered through interviews, surveys, and community testimonials.
Evidence includes increased attendance rates, significant improvements in participants' knowledge and culinary skills, and positive health changes. We’ve served over 12,000 students in the last year, with 52% extremely happy to attend Lunch Bunch, 45% very happy and 57% bringing lessons and recipes home to cook with their families. Participants report healthier eating habits and educating their families. Qualitative data and testimonials indicate a positive community impact. Comparison with community health data suggests broader dietary improvements in the areas we serve. Continuous data analysis enhances program effectiveness and retain partnerships.

Lunch Bunch Community Foundation (LBCF) will deliver fun, accessible, healthy and culturally relevant nutrition programming with food as the foundation for learning across diverse subjects such as culinary arts, cooking, entrepreneurship, STEAM skills, health and fitness, world history, and more. LBCF will hire and train 30 teachers to teach 200 culinary enrichment classes to 375 students at our three partnering organizations: Bright Star Charter Schools Rise Campus (elementary, middle school and high school), Central City Neighborhood Partners, and Barrio Action. These partner organizations will provide the physical space and students for our culinary and nutrition programming and they will receive it at no cost to their organization.