Propel Kitchens

Propel Kitchens endeavors to create systemic change that will favorably influence economic and health outcomes for those who live in and around underserved communities in the Saint Louis region.  

Propel Kitchens in partnership with regional WIOA agencies and workforce development organizations provides paid work experience programming, including transportation expenses; work-related expenses; uniforms; and retention and follow-up activities.  Our programs address employment deficiencies and stimulate opportunities to disrupt cyclical economic barriers by providing culinary training, commercial food industry education, and a wealth of employment prospects upon completion.  The program design was achieved through collaboration with St. Louis area food service employers to identify the skills and competencies needed for in-demand jobs within the industry.   This paid work experience training program provides a custom and localized version of culinary training in basic baking and cooking, recipe development, culinary math, and training on the proper use of all commercial kitchen equipment and food safety regulations.   The training includes certification as a ServSafe Food Handler.  

Propel Kitchens is key in addressing food insecurity and community-wide food-related economic development. We achieve these objectives by integrating existing local organizations and institutions into a coordinated food education and nutrition system built upon knowledge of community needs and best practices from community kitchen models across the country.  We have contributed to the local food ecosystem as both a developer and operator of social impact ventures that address critical social determinants of health through mission-focused and market-based business models.  Since its inception, Propel Kitchens has been manufacturing commercial commissary food products, such as soups, sauces, sliced deli meats, etc. for our commercial food clients.  We have produced hundreds of gallons of products for our client's weekly orders. Our enterprises have led us to serve the most critical citizens of the region, our children.   

The Propel Kitchens school lunch program serves scratch-made nutritious meals to students across the Saint Louis region through direct service to our clients as well as through strategic partnerships to provide after-school meals.  We have succeeded in elevating the palate of students while increasing their nourishment and reducing the consumption of processed foods.

Through a partnership with Cortex SquareOne, we also support emerging food entrepreneurs to establish their businesses in the marketplace.  The Propel Kitchens team provides these Founders with key information and training required to establish and grow their business with critical licensing, marketing, and practical needs such as recipe costing and sourcing available food resources.