OUR MISSION:
CHEFs for Schools is a NYC based nonprofit organization that strives to make a tangible improvement in the lives of children by enhancing the community’s knowledge of nutrition and meal preparation utilizing an extensive network of volunteers and community partners.
OUR PURPOSE
Our founding members, Alexandra Talbot, Krissy Werner, Sameer Birring, and Fred Wong, saw the need to address growing problems of malnutrition, poverty, and environmental destruction in New York City. Thus, Cheap Healthy Eco-friendly Food for Schools was created to increase awareness of proper nutrition, meal preparation, and environmental consciousness in the youth of all five boroughs.
OUR PRESENCE
CHEFs for Schools gives students the opportunity to prepare, consume, and raise awareness of cheap, healthy, and eco-friendly food. We are thrilled to offer an exciting line up of events this semester including healthy cooking classes, nutrition-related lectures, film screenings, and workshops, along with an informational newsletter to the NYC community.
CHEFs for Schools also works to build partnerships between the nonprofit sector, local community, and universities across the many issues related to cheap, healthy, and eco-friendly food. For instance, we have created an alliance with the Food Bank for NYC to foster opportunities for local university students to volunteer to teach nutrition in schools and communities through the CookShop Classroom program. CHEFs for Schools also met with Greenmarket NYC and NYU Dining Services to discuss their efforts in sourcing sustainable foods.
To fortify our efforts, we will be offering another round of exciting and highly educational events this fall beginning with a nutrition education and meal preparation seminar in the culinary center at the Whole Foods Market Bowery; followed by a benefit concert held at NYU; and special dinner hosted by the great sous chefs of NYC.
Our recruitment and training events will culminate with our CookShop Classroom certification sessions held in late January and early February. If you are interested in volunteering your time, please refer to our volunteer pages.
This spring, CHEFs for Schools will hold a clean-up event at the 6th Street and Avenue B community garden and will also offer a full-day trip to Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture to be attended by CHEFs’ volunteers, members, and the Food Bank for NYC’s CookShop Classroom participants.
During this time, CHEFs for Schools has received the generous support of America Reads, Whole Foods Market- Bowery, Greenmarket NYC, Food Bank for NYC, and Babycakes bakery in the Lower East Side. We believe this diverse array of resources and opportunities, in addition to your participation, enables us to create a healthier foundation for our city’s future.
OUR POTENTIAL
We aim to become a positive presence at numerous universities and cities across the country. We always welcome new members and schools/universities/students interested in starting a CHEFs for Schools Chapter. Participate as much or as little as you choose….there is a place for you in CHEFs.
Sign up for our listserv by emailing chefsforschools@gmail.com : receive monthly newsletters, information on upcoming events, and how to be involved in your local community.
Become a CHEFs member: Please fill in your name, email address, affiliation (school, college, organization, etc.), and in the text box specify how you want to be involved.
If you are interested in becoming a CookShop Classroom volunteer, please fill out the online application available at: http://www.foodbanknyc.org/go/cookshopapplication
And say CHEFs sent you!
