MISSION & VISION
more equitable and just food ecosystems
Community Kitchens’ mission is to bring together our whole community to harness the power of food to change lives, uplift communities and protect our environment.
In the neighborhoods we serve, over half the people are going to bed hungry at night. Being founded by chefs and restaurateurs, we are conscious of the non-nutritious value of food. The psychological impacts of having a delicious meal that warms the body and the soul. The social impacts of food in how a meal brings people together. Being founded in Oakland, we are conscious of the diverse needs of our community and the historic institutionalized discrimination and racism that have led to dramatic inequalities in our community today.
Community-centric approach
Bringing Together our whole community
At the heart of our work is a powerful collective of 8 central kitchen employees, 50 restaurant chefs, 130 home chefs, 150 dedicated prep cook volunteers, 12 distribution partners, and 8 Town Fridge sites—all united by a shared mission: feeding our community with love, dignity, and hope.
This community-powered movement does more than fill plates—it disrupts the cycle of intergenerational poverty by addressing food insecurity in an accessible, sustainable and innovative way, proving that when we come together, we can create lasting change.
our “Meal Plus” model
holistic approach to direct service
Our justice-minded approach focuses on equal dignity and improved access, and our “Meal Plus” Model means our community partners serve our meals with other life-giving supplies and services, including CalFresh and Medi-Cal enrollment information, healthcare, housing and job service referrals. Our meals serve as a bridge to providing other services. By working together, we can provide more effective, efficient, and holistic support for our low-income and unhoused community members.
our impact
We believe food is a basic human right
Our meals go out every day to meet the needs of Oakland’s underserved neighbors who are without other means to find that one meal every day. While we provide 21,000 meals a month, our program approach has broader community impact.
Promoting community connection and decreasing marginalization
Filling in gaps in public benefits programs
Supporting grassroots organizations to reach our unhoused
Leading advocacy with our coalition to make long term change
We believe in the transformative power of a job
Our Central Kitchen provides job training, wraparound support, and pathways to culinary careers for those facing barriers to employment. Participant outreach is designed to uplift unhoused, probation, foster care, low-income and low levels of education, and immigrant community members. In 2024 we hosted 10 interns and job referrals and we hope to double that in 2025. From the kitchen to the table, our meal program supports our community at each step.