Catalyst Kitchens

Today, 37.9 million people in the U.S.—11.5% of the population—are living in poverty, with inadequate access to basic human needs such as food, clothing and shelter. But poverty isn’t just about a lack of money. It’s a complex, societal issue about disadvantage, marginalization and exclusion that perpetuates across generations, unless someone or something intervenes to change its course.

Catalyst Kitchens is a ground-breaking national member network of nonprofit organizations committed to breaking the cycle of poverty through tuition-free culinary training and job placement for individuals facing barriers to employment. This includes people who may be unsheltered, returning from incarceration or living with disabilities; those who have a history of mental health and substance-use issues; or individuals who are immigrants or refugees.

Today, Catalyst Kitchens’ network, which is member driven and member led, includes more than 90 members across 35 states, all engaged in culinary training, hunger relief and food-service social enterprise. By facilitating partnerships and collaboration among network members, Catalyst Kitchens is helping to source, organize and train on best practices that can enhance culinary job training programs and social enterprise interventions. In doing so, Catalyst Kitchens is leading the way in creating new pathways for lifting vulnerable individuals out of poverty and unemployment while relieving hunger in communities.

A key component of the services Catalyst Kitchens offers is their national and regional summits, which allow network members serving diverse populations to meet, mentor and learn from each other. Network members also have the ability to leverage Catalyst Kitchens’ vendor partners and discounts, and access its Network Resource Library.

Launched in 2023, the library uses an open-source, peer-to-peer model that makes it easy for members and partners to share program curriculums, business tools, social service how-tos and vital techniques. These resources are curated and organized to help maximize impact.

“Collaboration can be a potent force in driving impact, especially when solving pressing social justice issues, like poverty, joblessness and hunger,” said Justin Smith, Executive Director, Catalyst Kitchens. “The Catalyst Kitchens network model offers a visionary road map for nonprofits that see partnership and open resource sharing as the future of this work.”