|
Recently SNAP-Ed (the federally run Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program focusing on Education) has experienced significant and extended funding cuts which affects their free nutritional programs. Even though we don't receive direct federal funding ourselves, we are nevertheless feeling the fallout.
Many foundations that might normally support our programs and/or partner with us, have more limited resources, making it harder for smaller nonprofits like ours to secure our own grants. In response, we’ve adapted our fundraising strategy and are now relying, more than ever before, on individual donors. It's never been more important to ensure that the children in our communities most at risk of developing diet-related diseases continue to learn how to cook and eat healthy meals in order to protect their long-term health.
I'm proud to share that, this semester, our programs are reaching kids and teens in 28 schools and after-school organizations across the Bay Area, including our ongoing classes at the Wellness Center for youth with chronic conditions at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital. We invite you to come and witness one of our after-school classes in action, so you can personally experience the enthusiasm and culinary wizardry in action. There’s nothing quite like it!
Right now, your support matters more than ever before. Spreading the word about our mission is another great way to support us. We so appreciate your continued loyalty and are grateful that together we are continuing to forge positive and lasting change. THANK YOU!
Warmly,
| | |
Lara Rajninger,
Executive Director.
| |
Grateful for Our Dominican University
Nursing Interns
| | |
We’re thrilled to be working with a new group of student nurses from the Dominican University School of Nursing in San Rafael. Welcome to Maria, Andrew, Laila, Elsa and Joyce.
Our student nurses are spending the semester with us as part of their community health rotation. They have been assisting in our classrooms, including our classes at Franklin Elementary School in Oakland and Coleman and Bahia Vista Elementary Schools in San Rafael. Instructors have given them glowing reports and find their support invaluable. The nursing students are also putting together video reels showing the classes in action for our Instagram and Facebook pages, so be sure to hop over there and check them out. You'll find our social media buttons at the bottom of this newsletter. And please don’t forget to like our posts if you have an account.
It’s also worth noting that Dominican University in San Rafael is grappling with significant financial challenges stemming from recent federal budget cuts, particularly the elimination of funding for Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). These cuts have resulted in the loss of approximately $3.1 million in federal grants, which were instrumental in supporting programs aimed at enhancing enrollment, retention, and graduation rates among Hispanic students. This is just one more example of the broad range and negative impact of the recent federal cuts.
| | Healthy Checkouts Coming to Contra Costa County | | |
Contra Costa County has passed a groundbreaking ordinance requiring grocery stores to offer only healthy foods and beverages at checkout. Candy, chips, and sugary drinks will be replaced with fruits, vegetables, nuts and unsweetened beverages, all meeting strict limits on added sugar and sodium. Stores will have a one-year grace period to comply.
This policy is the result of dedicated youth advocacy and is a big step toward reducing diet-related diseases, which disproportionately affect under-resourced communities.
The ordinance takes effect in November 2025, and it represents a broader cultural shift toward supporting health equity and lifelong healthy habits for children in every neighborhood.
| | |
Our Third Annual Sip and Savor Winter Celebration is coming up, and while we'll be emailing out a formal invitation soon, don't forget to save the date. Monday, December 8th, 5.30pm - 7.30pm in Mill Valley. We're busy planning to make the event as fun and impactful as possible, and can't wait to see you there!
| |
Local Grocery Stores Are Helping Sustain Us | |
We’re grateful to have received a number of generous grants recently. It's worth noting many of them have been from local grocery stores. Their community give-back programs are becoming an increasingly vital part of our funding structure.
Whole Foods Market, specifically their one remaining store in Mill Valley, gifted us funds this month. This grant is currently going straight back into our classrooms, and will help fund a number of classes.
The Safeway Foundation provides us with an ongoing grant to cover classes, and has been indispensable to us over the years.
Sprouts Farmers Markets gifted us a generous grant last month. We’re also grateful to Trader Joes in Alameda for providing and funding non-perishable ingredients for some of our classes in Hayward and Oakland. And the San Rafael location has given us an ongoing monthly donation for over five years.
These grants are more critical and harder to procure than ever and we’re incredibly grateful to Whole Foods Market, The Safeway Foundation, Sprouts Farmers Markets and Trader Joes for being part of the solution. THANK YOU!
| | Meet Our Instructor - Marianna Carter | | |
Marianna Carter, also known as Chef Rosemary, is a passionate self-taught chef, forager, artist, and community organizer. She grew up in southeast Louisiana, into a family of devoted home-cooks, crafters, gardeners and educators. These influences deeply impacted her and she draws on them in her work today.
She has called Oakland home since 2021, and has worked with prominent organizations and local chefs. She also runs a supper club, serving globally-inspired food to the community and advocating for food justice.
She knows firsthand the joys of learning and transferring skills, and the fun and satisfaction gained from carrying these skills into adulthood. This has inspired her to begin working to teach youth how they too can develop autonomy and enjoy being in the kitchen!
Welcome, Chef Rosemary, we couldn't be more thrilled to have such a committed instructor aboard!
| | |
This Halloween recipe always gets an enthusiastic reception.
You'll need spinach wraps, a sandwich filling of your choice, sliced cheese, nori, a selection of olives, cornichon pickles, celery, carrots and grapes to decorate and maybe some cream cheese for glue. Kids love creating their own monsters. It's a great activity for a class party and makes a great balanced snack to even out the blood sugar before the kids go out to get all that candy.
And remember these wraps don't have to be just for Halloween, they're good for whenever you want to cause a lunch or snack time sensation!
| |
"I learned some new recipes that I've never made before. Actually, I've never made dinner before, and it felt good to be able to make a whole dinner and dessert. I also made the recipes again today for my brothers and sister."
- A recent participant from our cooking class held in conjunction with UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Wellness Center for Youth With Chronic Conditions.
| | | | |
