About
The Teen Chef Program involves teens in cooking in a commercial kitchen and includes activities such as a kitchen tour, an open house, and a Spring Break Camp. Through the program, teens take part in preparing home-delivered, medically tailored meals that are dietitian-approved to meet DASH and diabetes-friendly guidelines. The program also includes teamwork, communication, career exploration, and résumé-building experiences for participating teens.
• Ages: 13–18 years old
• Schedule: Clients receive 12 weeks of weekly deliveries.
The Teen Chef Program is part of a mission focused on building healthier, more connected communities by engaging teens and providing nourishing food to individuals living with serious illnesses. The program supports the preparation and delivery of medically tailored meals for people living with serious illness, including medically fragile, low-income residents across Santa Cruz County, with clients referred by healthcare providers. Meals are delivered by volunteer “Delivery Angels,” who also offer wellness checks, and every client receives a nutrition counseling session with a bilingual Registered Dietitian. The organization is the only nonprofit in Santa Cruz County preparing and delivering medically tailored meals for chronic and critical conditions, and it plans to triple clients and meals delivered and more than double teen chefs by 2027. One client shared that having fresh meals at home during treatment and recovery, along with visits from Delivery Angels, made a significant difference during a difficult time.
Last updated March 12, 2026.
• Ages: 13–18 years old
• Schedule: Clients receive 12 weeks of weekly deliveries.
The Teen Chef Program is part of a mission focused on building healthier, more connected communities by engaging teens and providing nourishing food to individuals living with serious illnesses. The program supports the preparation and delivery of medically tailored meals for people living with serious illness, including medically fragile, low-income residents across Santa Cruz County, with clients referred by healthcare providers. Meals are delivered by volunteer “Delivery Angels,” who also offer wellness checks, and every client receives a nutrition counseling session with a bilingual Registered Dietitian. The organization is the only nonprofit in Santa Cruz County preparing and delivering medically tailored meals for chronic and critical conditions, and it plans to triple clients and meals delivered and more than double teen chefs by 2027. One client shared that having fresh meals at home during treatment and recovery, along with visits from Delivery Angels, made a significant difference during a difficult time.
Last updated March 12, 2026.
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