Community Kitchen Pittsburgh Receives $10,000 Grant from Jacques Pépin Foundation Grant

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Pittsburgh, PA — January 16. 2025

 Community Kitchen Pittsburgh (CKP) is thrilled to announce that it has been selected as a Jacques Pépin Foundation (JPF) Winter 2025 Grant Awardee. The $10,000 grant will help CKP continue its mission to combat food insecurity and provide comprehensive culinary training and job placement services at no cost to underserved populations in the Pittsburgh area. In addition to the generous grant, CKP will receive JPF-branded aprons for their students and a group membership to the JPF Foundation.

The Jacques Pépin Foundation’s Principal Grant Funds aim to support community-based organizations that use culinary education and training as a pathway to economic empowerment. CKP’s programs align perfectly with this vision, offering job training, life skills development, and access to healthy meals for individuals and families in need.

CKP has been a cornerstone of the Pittsburgh community, using “food as the foundation to change lives and strengthen communities”, by providing over 450,000 Community Meals annually to children, families, and adults facing food insecurity, and offering a workforce development program that helps individuals achieve sustainable employment in the food service industry.

“It is truly inspiring to all of us at Community Kitchen Pittsburgh that someone of Jacques Pépin's stature would be so dedicated to our communities, and the role that food plays in building community,” says Jennifer Flanagan, Executive Director and Founder of Community Kitchen Pittsburgh. “We couldn't be more honored to be counted among the programs supported by the Jacques Pépin Foundation. Over the past decade, we have placed over 500 graduates into good food jobs throughout our city, and this funding will help us continue this important work into the next decade!”

The Jacques Pépin Foundation is renowned for its commitment to culinary education and its support of organizations that empower communities through the transformative power of food. By awarding this grant, the Foundation reaffirms its dedication to building a more equitable and food-secure future.

“The JPF’s mission is realized in part by supporting programs that create opportunities through culinary training, and giving grants to these important local organizations,” says Rollie Wesen, Executive Director of the JPF. “Community Kitchen Pittsburgh’s impressive curriculum includes food system and food justice topics, with a specific focus on butchery. The program ensures participants are equipped for success with stipends, transportation, meals, and uniforms provided. With a 90% placement rate and employer partners guaranteeing fair wages and raises, we’re proud to support this impactful program and its commitment to creating pathways to success.”

Community Kitchen PIttsburgh is also honored and excited to host a 90/90 Dinner Series event this summer to celebrate Jacques Pépin’s 90th Birthday.

For more information about Community Kitchen Pittsburgh and its programs, please visit ckpgh.org. To learn more about the Jacques Pépin Foundation, visit jp.foundation.