By Nicole Cosentino, Special Writer
In the words of Allison O’Brien, 27, of Monmouth Junction, “diabetes is a rampant problem in this state and in the nation.”
She is working to make a difference through The Garden State Community Kitchen, her newly formed non-profit organization.
”Our mission is to provide education and support for families living with Type II Diabetes,” Ms. O’Brien said. “The way that we are going to execute that support is by gathering the children of parents that are at risk for the disease and teaching them how to cook. We’re going to do all of the meal plans that the kids are going to be eating with their families.”
The Garden State Community Kitchen will combine agriculture, cooking, and exercise for a sure-fire advantage in the battle against diabetes type two, but it needs the help of the public to get started.
Ms. O’Brien, originally attended a culinary school, Bauman College in California, where she was exposed to community kitchens for the first time through an internship program.
”I knew that I wanted to bring it to New Jersey,” she said.
Ms. O’Brien, who graduated from the culinary school as a natural chef this year, said this is her first non-profit experience.
According to the organization’s website, a natural chef is skilled not only in preparing food, but in the nutritional value of the ingredients and how to apply them to certain physical conditions like Type II Diabetes.
”We also want to have a gardening portion of the program because I want the kids to be as involved in the food process as much as possible,” Ms. O’Brien said. “I’m trying to find a farm to partner with so (the children) can go on the farm and learn how things are grown. It can also be a little exercise for them. We’ll pick up the produce; they’ll come with me and cook it, and then every day after we’re done cooking, I want to have a dance party.”
She hopes to include children ages six to 18 in the program.
Its first fundraiser will be held Sunday, Dec. 9 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Princeton’s Salt Creek Grille on Route 1. Admission is $50.
”It’s a light luncheon,” Allison O’Brien explained. “The food that we’re serving is going to be food that’s demonstrative of the food we’re going to be serving for our clients. There’s a silent auction for fundraising, and we’re also going to be doing a presentation on diabetes and on the program.”
Ms. O’Brien said she is looking for volunteers for personal trainers, registered dieticians, farmers, and volunteers for her kitchen. She can be contacted through the organization’s website at www.thegardenstatecommunitykitchen.org.
