Goodwill Through Good Food

National Geographic KIDS staffer Allie Carroll tells us about a culinary voluntourism organization called CulinaryCorps, which her sister, a chef, founded in 2007:

On June 1st, volunteer cooks from around the country will travel to New Orleans, Louisiana, to promote good will through good food. The trip is spearheaded by CulinaryCorps, a non-profit organization that designs, organizes, and launches affordable volunteer outreach experiences for culinary professionals. At present, CulinaryCorps focuses its trips on the rebuilding and culinary renaissance of New Orleans, and this June marks CulinaryCorps’ fifth trip to the city since March 2007. 

The ambitious, week-long itinerary is built upon partnerships with local organizations working at the intersection of community and food. On the first day of the trip, the CulinaryCorps team of 14 talented chefs will test their mettle by cooking the evening meal for over 500 volunteers at Habitat for Humanity’s Camp Hope. The next day, the volunteers will collaborate with Edible Schoolyard NOLA to help launch an “Edible Afternoon,” a day of tasty field-day challenges for students at the Samuel Green Charter School. The CulinaryCorps itinerary also includes opportunities for volunteers to learn first-hand about the food culture so important to the city, including a dinner with Gumbo Tales author Sara Roahen, a crawfish boil with Slow Food convivium leader Poppy Tooker, and an early morning stop at Pearl River Blues Farm for fresh blueberries and okra.  The week concludes with volunteer work at two very special events: the “Taste of Mississippi” fundraiser for the Mississippi Slow Food convivium, and the Gala Opening of the much-anticipated Southern Food and Beverage Museum in New Orleans.

Read More: Emily Haile blogged about the New Orleans Culinary Comeback after Hurricane Katrina. Traci Angel wrote about her experiences as a voluntourist with Hands on New Orleans. And check out our list of volunteer groups who welcome visitors throughout New Orleans.

Photo by Andrew Edwards