Rep. Val Demings (FL-10) has presented the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida with $775,000 in federal funding she secured for the Culinary Workforce Training Program, which provides disadvantaged adults with culinary and life skills training.
“The pursuit of happiness and opportunity is one of our most sacred American values, and I was proud to work with Second Harvest to support this program. The Culinary Workforce Training Program helps Floridians who are down on their luck or looking for new opportunities, providing critical career and life skills to join our workforce and help them become independent, stable, and successful. Second Harvest’s work has been a key partner as we continue to build our economy, create good new jobs, and ensure that Central Florida remains a great place to visit, to go out, and to live,” said Demings.
“For nearly a decade, the Culinary Training Program has been transforming lives by providing Central Floridians with sustainable job skills to pursue a career in our bustling food service industry. We’re incredibly grateful for Congresswoman Demings’ support in securing this new federal funding opportunity. It’s a major win for not only for Central Florida’s hospitality sector, but also for workers and their families,” said Second Harvest President/CEO Derrick Chubbs.
According to Second Harvest, the Second Harvest Culinary Training Program provides qualified, at-risk and economically disadvantaged adults with the culinary and life skills training needed to pursue a sustainable career in the food industry. While enrolled, students experience every aspect of the food service industry, and also hone their interview skills through on-site job fairs and mock interview opportunities. To date, more than 425 students have graduated from the program.
Over $6 million is coming to Central Florida from Rep. Demings’ Community Project designations, in consultation with mayors and community partners in Florida’s 10th District.
