DC Central Kitchen

Founded in 1989 by Robert Egger, DC Central Kitchen imagined an innovative model for the traditional soup kitchen through combating hunger, addressing the cycle of poverty, and removing barriers to employment. Their various bold and inventive programs provide the Washington community with fundamental and transformative job training and job creation. The organization also offers nutritious meals and healthy food options to food insecure residents, corner stores in low-income communities, and local schools.                                                                              
For 30 years, the Culinary Job Training program has been a mainstay of DC Central Kitchen's mission. It offers students hands-on-training with certified culinary instructors and job-readiness and self-empowerment sessions to extend personal and professional growth. Many graduates of the program are hired in kitchens and restaurants in the Washington area. Others may be hired to support the range of social service and social enterprise initiatives run by DC Central Kitchen itself. Whether preparing daily meals for local school children through the Healthy School Food program, expanding healthy food access in food deserts through the Healthy Corners and the Community Meals programs, or training men and women with essential job skills through the Culinary Job Training program, DC Central Kitchen is advancing and achieving their mission, "to use food as a tool to strengthen bodies, empower minds and build communities."