Yavapai Food Council's Bountiful Kitchen is a nonprofit commercial prep kitchen where community volunteers prepare and package school meals for hungry children under the guidance of a professional chef. Throughout Yavapai County, 1 out of 3 children is food insecure. 24 out of 80 rural and/or charter schools do not serve food on campus because the site lacks an approved commercial kitchen. The Bountiful Kitchen fills this need, producing and delivering fresh, nutritious meals approved by the USDA to meet the School Nutrition Guidelines for free and reduced cost meals. Since opening for production on September 22nd, 2016, the Bountiful Kitchen Chef and volunteers have delivered over 50,000 free and reduced cost breakfasts and lunches across the Verde Valley. Operating primarily with volunteers, the not-for-profit Yavapai Food Council commits to put 85 to 90 percent of the funds received per meal directly into the cost of the food, ensuring fresh, healthy meals. As Yavapai Food Council moves into the second year of Bountiful Kitchen operations the demand is growing. In the 2017-18 school year three to four new sites will be added for breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack. Yavapai Food Council is seeking $4,000 of funding to purchase a commercial freezer, 6 additional baking trays and slotted stainless steel pans for the steamer, a hand cart to help with delivery, two Vitamix blenders and a commercial food processor. Bountiful Kitchen will be doubling production capacity by mid-fall and adding this equipment will make a substantial difference in production time. For more information about Bountiful Kitchen and Yavapai Food Council visit http://yavapaifoodcouncil.org/
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