Teen Kitchen Project

TKPs main program is the Medically-Tailored Meals Program. In this program, volunteer and employed teens between the ages of 14-19 join professional chefs in a commercial kitchen to prepare nutritious, medically tailored meals that are delivered to individuals and families impacted by illness. Clients Served: In fiscal year (FY) 2022-2023, TKP delivered 86,344 meals to individuals and families in Santa Cruz County impacted by life-threatening illness. Additionally, TKP provided 860 grocery boxes alongside these meals as part of a grant-funded pilot. In total, 722 households received medically tailored food deliveries, marking a 16% increase in the number of households served from the previous year. The Medically Tailored Meals Program meets the needs of critically and chronically ill people in Santa Cruz County who are low-income, lack a support network of family or friends, and/or do not qualify for other free meal delivery services. Among TKP clients served, 100% had a medical diagnosis (e.g., diabetes, cancer, heart disease, recent surgery), 86% were low-income (earning less than 200% below the poverty level), 71% were seniors aged 60 and above, 30% were People of Color, and 21% were Spanish speakers. During FY 2022-23, post-service surveys showed a 5% decrease in food insecurity and a 20% increase in positive self-perception of overall health. The impact of the meal delivery program is illustrated in the following quote from one of TKPs clients: TKP has been such a blessing. I love the meals and I feel so much better now. I have lost a little weight and my doctor is happy with the improvement in my blood sugar. I eat more vegetables now and new kinds of vegetables, too. I am feeling more energy and I even take walks almost every day. I appreciate this program so much. Thank you.Teen Engagement: The meal delivery program also benefits local teens by providing them with valuable life skills and the opportunity to give back to their community. During FY 2022-23, TKP engaged 83 teen employees/volunteers in preparing and packaging meals, a 22% increase from the previous year. All teens went through an interview process, attended a kitchen orientation, and participated in knife skills and food safety training. Teen chefs each spend an average of 140 hours during the 20 week cohort learning how to prepare healthy food. Post-participation surveys consistently showed that teen chefs reported increased confidence in their cooking skills and cooking more healthy meals from scratch at home. They also report eating healthier in general. New Benefit for Medi-Cal Members: Starting in January 2022, TKP contracted with a local Medi-Cal Managed Care Plan to provide their members a medically tailored meal benefit. In FY 2023, TKP invested in additional staffing, technology, and kitchen equipment to increase meal capacity. The contract with the Medi-Cal health plan, and other local government contracts, enabled TKP to double its earned income through contracts in FY 23. TKP projects this growth to continue in FY 24 as the eligible populations expand, increasing access of the medically tailored meal benefit to more Californians in need. New Strategic Plan: During the Spring of 2023, the TKP Board and staff developed the organizations next three-year strategic plan, which was approved in June 2023. Over the next three years, TKP will focus on three strategic goals: 1) Expanding facilities to increase meal capacity and prepare for future growth; 2) Increasing awareness, involvement, and support of the organization by target audiences; and 3) Attracting and retaining a qualified, mission-driven workforce and Board of Directors capable of strengthening systems and processes. Policy Work: TKP is a member of the California Food Is Medicine Coalition (CalFIMC), and is actively working at the State level to advocate for medically tailored nutrition programs, including meals, groceries, produce boxes, and nutrition counseling and education, to be included in future state legislation as a benefit for all Californians. Work in FY 23 included sharing HR 5370, a bill advocating for a nationwide Medically Tailored Meal Pilot within Medicare, with Congressman Jimmy Panetta, who chose to cosponsor this vital piece of legislation. Although the bill was not advanced in FY23, TKP and CalFIMC continued to advocate for similar bills in FY24.