Good Harvest: A foodservice training program with a dual mission of fighting hunger and poverty.

When St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore first conceived of creating a social enterprise to feed hungry children, the goal was already pretty lofty. KidzTable began in 2010 and operated out of a small basement kitchen rented from a church in Park Heights. It served 500 meals a day, but within 18 months, daily production of meals tripled as demand continued to increase. Today, the social enterprise now known as Good Harvest operates out of a large production facility with a well-equipped, modern kitchen that delivers more than 5,000 meals each day to hungry community members of all ages. ?

Somewhere along the way, that production kitchen revealed another opportunity to improve the lives of those impacted by poverty in Baltimore. With so many young adults lacking the basic resources to help them train for, and gain sustainable, living wage employment, an idea was born to help bridge that gap. In 2012, Good Harvest launched a training program for young adults with barriers to employment who are interested in a career in the foodservice industry.

The Good Harvest 12-week program provides intense classroom instruction and hands-on training as students work to obtain an industry-coveted ServSafe Manager’s Certification. “It’s more than just a typical foodservice training class,” says Damien Bagley, Training Chef Director at Good Harvest Community Kitchen. “Not all students come equipped with the solid foundation they need to hold steady employment. Many also need to develop soft skills through time management and conflict resolution training. Others lack transportation or personal paperwork such as a birth certificate or a social security card. All of them need financial support. Good Harvest provides culinary and life skills training, weekly stipends, daily transportation, and other supportive services to address barriers to employment. Job placement assistance and post-employment retention support are also available to graduates. All at no charge.”

Since opening, Good Harvest has seen more than 124 graduates who have gone on to pursue careers such as foodservice managers, line cooks, caterers, and entrepreneurs. The impact is truly life-changing for those who complete the program. “They can help you with your resume, guide you toward employment, and even send you in the right direction with hardship and mental health,” said Temera, a Good Harvest graduate. “This is where I belong.”

New classes begin every 12 weeks, with the next class starting on December 19th. If you know anyone who might be a good candidate for Good Harvest visit goodharvest.org/training-services and fill out the interest form.