Pacific Grove, Calif. – April 28, 2026 – Today, Meals on Wheels of the Monterey Peninsula (MOWMP) is proud to announce the launch of a dynamic new partnership with the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District (MPUSD), creating hands-on culinary training opportunities for local students while advancing it’s mission to nourish and support seniors, disabled adults, and veterans across Monterey County.
Through this collaboration, MPUSD Career Technical Education students in Advanced Culinary will receive real-world training inside MOWMP’s high-volume production kitchen, gaining valuable experience in large-scale meal preparation, food safety, nutrition, and general commercial kitchen operations. Under the guidance of MOWMP’s experienced culinary team, students will develop practical skills that prepare them for careers in the food service industry while contributing to a mission-driven organization that serves thousands of meals each day.
“This partnership represents the best of what community collaboration can be,” says Chase Ewing, Executive Chef at MOWMP. “We are not only investing in the future workforce but also strengthening our ability to deliver nutritious meals to the people who rely on us every day. It’s a win-win for the students and the community.”
Students participating in the program will gain exposure to the unique demands of a professional kitchen focused on both efficiency and compassion. From learning how to create freshly prepared, packaged meals to understanding the logistics of large-scale food production, participants will leave the program with a deeper appreciation for what it takes to produce and deliver meals at scale.
MPUSD leaders see the partnership as a powerful extension of classroom learning. “This collaboration provides our students with an unparalleled opportunity to apply their skills in a real-world setting,” says Chantelle Cafferata, Community School Coordinator at Central Coast High School. “They’re not just learning how to cook, they’re learning how to make a meaningful impact in our community, too.”
The partnership also supports MOWMP’s broader vision of innovation and sustainability in its kitchen operations. As the organization continues to expand its capacity to meet rising demand, integrating workforce development into its model ensures long-term impact that goes beyond meal delivery.
For more than 54 years, MOWMP has been a cornerstone of support for clients across Monterey County. This new partnership with MPUSD reflects a forward-thinking approach, one that nourishes both people and potential.
For more information on this partnership, please contact MOWMP at 831-375-4454 or visit mowmp.org
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About Meals on Wheels of the Monterey Peninsula
Since 1972, MOWMP has delivered healthy nutrition to the homebound. The organization offers senior services through its Home Delivered Meals and Group Dining programs, and at the Meals on Wheels Community Center in Pacific Grove. MOWMP is guided by the belief that a person’s health reflects the nurturing of the whole person – body, mind, and spirit. Its programs are dedicated to promoting the physical, social, and personal well-being and independence of seniors, disabled adults, veterans, and other underserved populations on the Monterey Peninsula and beyond.
