World Central Kitchen (WCK) is a nonprofit organization that provides meals to those affected by humanitarian, climate, and community crises. Our mission is to build resilient food systems with locally-led solutions. We believe that food is not just a basic necessity, but a plate of hope that tells people that someone cares about them, even in their darkest hours. WCK was founded in 2010 by Chef José Andrés and his wife Patricia after a massive earthquake devastated Haiti. Since then, we have responded to various disasters around the world, including Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, Covid-19 pandemic, the Beirut blast, bushfires in Australia, and hurricanes and tornadoes in the US. We don’t just deliver raw ingredients, but we also hire and source locally to jump-start economic recovery through food. Cooking and eating together is what makes us human, and food is the fastest way to rebuild our sense of community after a disaster.
Sustainability at World Central Kitchen
By providing meals to those affected by crises, we contribute to ending hunger and malnutrition. We also invest in our Food Producer Network to help create resilience ahead of the next disaster, train aspiring chefs in skills and safety to build their careers and food economy, and advocate for more hunger relief and better nutrition.
Good Health and Well-being is another goal that we address through our work. We provide meals that are not just filling but also nutritious to ensure that those we serve maintain good health. We also want clean cookstoves in the homes of the one billion cooks whose health, and the climate, are in danger when all they want to do is feed their families. By doing so, we help reduce indoor air pollution, which is one of the leading causes of premature deaths.
We hire and source locally to jump-start economic recovery through food, which helps create job opportunities for those affected by crises. Additionally, we train aspiring chefs in skills and safety to build their careers and the food economy.
Sustainable Cities and Communities is another goal that we address. By building resilient food systems with locally-led solutions, we contribute to sustainable urbanization.
We address Climate Action through our Climate Disaster Fund, a $1 billion commitment over the next decade to support communities impacted by the climate crisis. We have witnessed climate-triggered hunger and forced migration due to extreme weather events. Our Climate Disaster Fund provides immediate relief through nutritious meals following disasters like hurricanes, floods, and wildfires. In 2022, we responded to 30 climate-related crises using our Urgency of Now approach to secure a kitchen and begin cooking, ensuring families receive fresh food in the hours and days after a disaster.
