The Jacques Pépin Foundation recently announced that both TASK (Trenton Area Soup Kitchen) and Fulfill NJ: FoodBank of Monmouth & Ocean Counties have been named two of its 17 Summer 2025 Grant Awardees.
TASK’s Emilio’s Culinary Academy is a 10-week program that provides on-the-job culinary training in a high-volume kitchen and prepares students for the workforce through soft skills training, digital literacy education, supportive services and more. The Fulfill Culinary Arts Training Program offers adults in Monmouth and Ocean counties access to free, hands-on training and paid work opportunities. Graduates go on to work at restaurants, catering facilities, school cafeterias, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, hospitals and their own food bank kitchen.
TASK will use its grant to strengthen alumni support with the creation of a dedicated online community platform for graduates, current students, and employer partners.
Fulfill will use their funding to increase program accessibility and to partner with Brookdale Community College to provide a credit-bearing pathway to a culinary degree.
In addition to the $10,000 grant, both organizations will receive JPF branded aprons for their students and a group membership to the Foundation.
Founded in 2016 by the Pépin family, the JPF strives to enrich lives and strengthen communities through the power of culinary education. The JPF empowers and inspires professional chefs, home cooks, and community kitchens nationwide by sharing Jacques’ legacy of culinary education. In 2019, the JPF became a grant-making organization, and in the last seven years the Foundation has given over $1.8M to over 80 different non-profit, community-based, culinary arts training programs that offer life skills and culinary training to individuals with barriers to employment. The JPF mission and vision are rooted firmly in the belief that culinary skills training leads to increased self-confidence, better health, and employment and career opportunities.
“The JPF’s mission is realized in part by supporting programs that create opportunities through culinary training, and giving grants to these important, impressive, local organizations,” Rollie Wesen, executive director of the JPF said.
“With this generous funding from the Jacques Pépin Foundation, TASK will be able to provide more robust support as students embark on their path to self-sufficiency and as alumni navigate their new culinary careers,” Paul Jensen, TASK chief operating officer said.
“Fulfill is grateful to the Jacques Pépin Foundation for their support through a $10,000 grant for our Culinary Arts Training Program,” Carol Sharrouf, Corporate & Foundation Relations Officer at Fulfill. “With this funding, we can empower underemployed adults with the skills, certifications, and paid work experiences necessary to start careers in the food service industry. This support will help expand access to the program and strengthen Fulfill’s efforts to break the cycles of poverty and food insecurity in Monmouth and Ocean Counties.”
In addition to TASK and Fulfill, Summer 2025 JPF Grants were awarded to: The Inspiration Kitchen at Lott Industries (Toledo, OH), FeedMore WNY (Buffalo, NY), Feeding South Florida (Pembroke, FL), Project Renewal (New York, NY), CitySeed Sanctuary Kitchen (New Haven, CT), Life’s Kitchen (Boise, ID), Second Helpings (Indianapolis, IN), Philabundance (Philadelphia, PA), Good Work (Austin, TX), Feed NC (Morresville, NC), UMOM (Phoenix, AZ), Columbia Ability Alliance (Kennewick, WA), Salvation Army Golden State (San Francisco, CA), Inspiration Corporation (Chicago, IL), and Drive Change NYC (Brooklyn, NY).
