Teen Kitchen Project’s (TKP) mission is to build healthy communities through food. Our purpose is to provide critically and chronically ill people in Santa Cruz County with home-delivered, medically tailored meals.
TKP was founded in 2012 by Executive Director Angela Farley after her family experienced a life-threatening illness. In 2011 her son was diagnosed with cancer; during his treatment, friends and family brought home cooked meals to help keep Angela’s family nourished. After her son’s treatment was successfully completed, she made a commitment to help others as she was helped during her time of need.
TKP’s meals are designed by our in-house Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Executive Chef, prepared by teen chefs who benefit from the opportunity to give back to their community while learning valuable workforce skills, and delivered by volunteer adults who perform weekly wellness checks for meal recipients.
In 2024, TKP will provide 90,000 home-delivered, medically tailored meals to 800 individuals in Santa Cruz County who are impacted by a life-threatening illness. 84% are low-income.
Support from Santa Cruz Gives will assist TKP in getting healthy, fresh food to medically vulnerable people faster and more efficiently by helping us purchase an industrial steamer. A steamer will allow us to prepare a higher volume of fresh vegetables for clients, ensuring vegetables are not overcooked, and retain nutrients and flavor. Currently we blanch items in hot water, a time-consuming process.
Approximately 150 teen chefs (ages 14-18) from throughout the County learn to prepare, cook and package meals for delivery.
These meals have helped me immensely during this challenging time of treatment. It was one less stress for me, especially needing to go to the hospital every day. I know these meals contributed to my overall well-being.
TKP Client, Santa Cruz
