Impact
In only three years, Cook for Kids has:
1. Brought healthy lunch every day to nearly 20,000 New York City public school children; more than two-thirds of whom live in neighborhoods of high poverty.2. Transformed menus to include salad bars, and healthy, unprocessed, scratch-cooked foods.
3. Earned the active cooperation of our community partner, the NYC Department of Education’s Office of School Food.
4. Given 20 influential energetic graduates of culinary schools the opportunity to influence the eating habits and affect the nutritional awareness of thousands of vulnerable children.
5. Taught nearly 20,000 New York City public school children, their families and teachers, through work in the cafeteria and the classroom, that healthy food can be delicious and affordable.
6. Involved 18 celebrated New York City restaurants and chefs in the guidance and sponsorship of our schools.
7. Demonstrated that a comprehensive approach, incorporating good nutrition, fitness and environmental health, can change habits and attitudes where they begin, in childhood.
8. Served as a model program for schools across the nation
In 2010, WITS Executive Director Nancy Easton, Executive Chef Bill Telepan and School Food Head Chef Jorge Collazo were honored by Michele Obama at the White House for being at the forefront of the healthy school lunch movement (Chefs Move to Schools).
In 2011, WITS Executive Director Nancy Easton, Executive Chef Bill Telepan were named as Food Revoltion Heroes by the Jamie Oliver Foundation and Lunchbox Heroes by Ann Cooper's The Lunchbox.org.
