Nourishment Beyond the Plate

Kelly’s Kitchen has been facilitating our first Nourishment Beyond the Plate cohort in St. Helena Island, South Carolina June - September 2024 thanks to funding from the Feeding Innovation Program, an initiative of Clemson University’s Cooperative Extension.

To check out the impact our program has on communities and individuals, check out the video below:

This 11-minute video showcases the Nourishment Beyond the Program cohort in St. Helena Island, SC. Video of three different speakers will be featured:

Kelly Timmons, Founder of Kelly's Kitchen

Rachel Kaplan, Operations Director and Program Developer

Melissa Warren, Training Director at Beaufort County Disabilities and Special Needs

When the video is not on one of the three speakers, voiceover is being played while aerial video of St. Helena Island and Beaufort, SC are shown. Video also shows participants cooking one of the dishes, a Gullah Geechee recipe by Gullah Chef Emily Meggett, and walks through the ingredients found in the Nourishment Beyond the Plate kit.

What is Nourishment Beyond the Plate?

Nourishment Beyond the Plate is a program through Kelly’s Kitchen (a 501c3 non-profit organization) that facilitates a four-month series. This series provides participants with cooking instruction, ingredients, kitchen supplies, and independent living skill building for community members with disabilities. We pride ourselves on creating a program that focuses on the intersection of food justice and disability justice, with intentional thought put into cultural competency in the recipes chosen .

This program provides community members with disabilities with the resources, skills, confidence, and hands-on application practice to create accessible kitchen spaces in their home and build self-reliance to make healthy one-pot recipes to nourish themselves, their family, and their friends.

All participants will be provided with an accessible cooking kit that includes:

  • a 10-pack variety of cooking utensils

  • an induction cooktop

  • A large, high-sided pan with a lid for multi-purpose cooking

  • A cutting board (accessible cutting boards available upon request)

  • A rocker knife

  • Tablespoon and teaspoon measuring spoons

  • An oversized backpack to keep their kitchen utensils in OR use to pack them up and bring during a natural disaster or emergency where someone may need to temporarily relocate

  • 2-pack set of eazy grip holders that can be placed on utensils

All participants will receive their cooking kit and an overview of how to use the provided kitchen tools. Cooking classes can be provided virtually over Zoom or in-person depending on the partner organization we are working with and their facility capabilities.

Kelly’s Kitchen will collaborate with local culinary programs or caterers to ensure that ingredients for all meals are sourced locally, prepared by individuals with ServSafe certificate in a commercial kitchen, and delivered to participants to barriers to participation and resource access.

 

Nourishment Beyond the Plate is more than a food delivery service or option to receive accessible kitchen tools and equipment. This program helps build confidence and skill building when it comes to meal preparation; an essential skill needed for independence.

To access Nourishment Beyond the Plate recipes click here to visit our Resources page - find the heading “Nourishment Beyond the Plate Recipes”.

To access the Nourishment Beyond the Plate YouTube playlist, click here.

To access the Nourishment Beyond the Plate kit utensil list with links to purchase them, you can find that on our Kitchen Tools and Equipment section of the website, by clicking here.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Tentative Budget for Interested Organizations: Suggested Group Size is 15 Participants - $25,200  This budget outlines the projected costs for a program designed for a group of 15 participants, totaling $25,200.
Collage of photos of individuals from Beaufort, South Carolina cooking. Text above them says Nourishment Beyond the Plate with Kelly's Kitchen.

“The cooking class is the highlight of my week. It’s more than just learning to cook; it's about building friendships and gaining confidence in my abilities. A fantastic experience!”

- Porchia, Nourishment Beyond the Plate Participant

“The instructors are patient and make sure everyone can participate, regardless of their ability level. It's a great place to learn and have fun.”

- Melissa, Nourishment Beyond the Plate Participant

Collage showing various people cutting vegetables and cooking with an induction cooktop.
Collage of photos showing a variety of individuals with intellectual and/or physical disabilities cooking, cutting, and stirring while making Gullah Geechee Shrimp Gumbo.

“I cook simple meals. This class helped me use more ingredients and teaches me recipes I can share with my friends. It's truly rewarding."

- Devin, Nourishment Beyond the Plate Participant

“The cooking class has been a wonderful experience for me. I like learning to cook different recipes.  I use the pan and other kitchen supplies that were in the backpack.”

- Sylvia, Nourishment Beyond the Plate Participant

Collage showing various people cutting vegetables and cooking with an induction cooktop.

“Since getting my cooking kit [2 years ago] I never use my stove. I use my induction cooktop for everything!”

- Devin, Nourishment Beyond the Plate Participant

“Cooking is one of my independent living skills. I can’t wait to make this at home again.”

- Kristen, Nourishment Beyond the Plate Participant

Collage showing various people cutting vegetables and cooking with an induction cooktop.
Collage of photos showing a variety of individuals with intellectual and/or physical disabilities cooking, cutting, and stirring while making Gullah Geechee Shrimp Gumbo.

“I’m so impressed with Arthur, he has come a long way and he looks forwards to classes.  He went from, ‘I don’t cook’ to looking forward to it.”

- Melissa Warren, Training Coordinator at Beaufort County Disabilities and Special Needs