KITCHEN COALITION PROVIDES MORE THAN MEALS

For far too many people facing hunger, receiving groceries only solves part of the problem. Since its founding in 2020, Kitchen Coalition has provided nourishment to individuals and families with barriers to cooking. The program provides meals to people who don’t have a kitchen, are managing a crisis or time of transition, or have health issues that make cooking impossible. In 2024, Kitchen Coalition reached a huge milestone, delivering its 5 millionth meal in March, quickly followed by its 6 millionth meal in December. Kitchen Coalition has not only delivered high quality meals to people who need them but has also invested over 26 million dollars into local communities since its inception. Partner restaurants and caterers are paid at cost for their work, which means Kitchen Coalition directly invests in neighborhood businesses, offering workface stabilization and capacity building, all while keeping communities fed. Kitchen Coalition indirectly employs 70 FTEs through the program, and select kitchens are even building workforce capacity—kitchens like Fhima’s and Chowgirls hire employees who start off preparing Kitchen Coalition meals before graduating to other areas of business.

Marisol, a chef at Eat for Equity, a chef-driven scratch kitchen that focuses on uplifting community, prepares meals for Kitchen Coalition using ingredients received from Second Harvest Heartland. “I feel very lucky that my staff enjoys the creativity of turning these ingredients into something really exciting to prepare and exciting for people to eat. The first thing I look at is what fresh produce is available—I was raised on a farm and was also a Puerto Rican in small-town Nebraska. I have this mix of wanting to make food that aligns with my culture and community but also use ingredients that are available to me. I like making meals that are seasonal and use flavors that are available.”

Keystone Community Services, a Kitchen Coalition distribution partner, provides meals to the Saint Paul community. Their mission of strengthening the capacity of individuals to improve their quality of life aligns with providing fresh meals to neighbors.

“Kitchen Coalition has been central to making our mission a success,” says Nick Hedman, Keystone Community Services’ Warehouse Supervisor. “We receive meals from Kitchen Coalition twice a week. I love how unique each meal is. I’ve gotten everything from chicken tacos to breakfast sausage, to spaghetti, and roast chicken.”

The findings of our first annual Statewide Hunger Study show that households with seniors or children present are especially vulnerable to food insecurity. Kitchen Coalition delivers ready-to-eat meals to these and other demographics with barriers to cooking, helping them to thrive. “Impact of this magnitude is only possible when you have a dedicated, mission-driven coalition of community organizations and businesses that are working toward the same goal—ensuring that neighbors have a meal that is right for them,” says Sarah Peterson, Director of Kitchen Coalition. “The diversity of our program partners and their knowledge of community needs and assets enables us to deliver meals where they are most needed and will do the most good.”