WHO WE ARE

The Patachou Foundation prepares and serves healthy meals to children impacted by poverty and hunger and increases their awareness, connection, and excitement about food. Our meal service is complemented by hands-on educational programming to combat food insecurity and break the cycle of hunger in our community.

HOW IT WORKS

Our chef prepares a special menu of kid-friendly dishes each week in our production kitchen. Every menu is planned with kids' voices at the center. In addition to serving 2,000 scratch-made meals at eight Indianapolis schools each week, The Patachou Foundation is committed to a radically different and radically better hunger relief model - one that addresses both immediate needs and root causes. This means the Foundation:

Educates youth about cooking skills, food literacy, and healthy habits - including hosting more than 150 youth at interactive farm field trips in 2021.

Empowers teens through a paid workforce development program to break the cycle of poverty through employable skills and certifications in the food system.

Equips schools to fight hunger from inside the cafeteria and create community-centered, sustainable solutions to school food.

AN UNPARALLELED SITUATION

Nearly 80% of kids attending the schools The Patachou Foundation serves live at or below poverty and are faced with daily food insecurity and hunger. Indianapolis is ranked worst in the nation for access to fresh foods, so even if resources are available, access to fresh food is not. Indianapolis area schools are not equipped with working ovens or functioning kitchens. Federally funded food programs typically fall short, leaving kids with only processed, unhealthy food choices. Many children go home to empty cupboards and empty refrigerators. For most of the children The Patachou Foundation serves, the pre-packaged school breakfasts and lunches are the only guaranteed meals of the day. The lack of quality food access creates a negative impact on school attendance, behavior in and out of school, and overall health.

#GivingTuesday 2021 | The Patachou Foundation

By Patachou Foundation, Inc.

#GivingTuesday 2021 | The Patachou Foundation