The Ceres Community Project is a U.S. non-profit organization that mentors teens in nutrient-dense food preparation as well as chef, employment, and business skills, then works with volunteers to deliver the food to people with life-threatening illnesses and their families. Ceres also includes a garden to grow produce for the program.[1] The organization has also partnered with other non-profit organizations such as the Work Horse Organic Agriculture (WHOA), which supplies organic produce and eggs to Ceres.[2][3]
The program has had significant impacts on both the teen chefs and the clients, with increases of fruit and vegetables and decreases in unhealthy food consumption in both groups.[4] Ceres has also served as a model for similar projects in other communities such as in Chicago[5] and Cleveland.[6]
History
Cathryn Couch, a former professional chef, founded Ceres after taking a friend's daughter as an apprentice to cook for a friend who had stage 2 breast cancer.[7]
Couch, Cathryn; DeNicola, JoEllen (2011) [2009]. Nourshing Connections Cookbook: The Healing Power of Food & Community (2nd ed.). Sebastopol, CA, US: Ceres Community Project. ISBN9780615465487. OCLC743804722.
