World Central Kitchen in action in the Bahamas.
Source: WCK
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have chosen a high-quality partner for the first publicly announced, non-profit philanthropic project Archewell Foundation.
On December 20, the couple announced that their eight-month foundation had begun working with José Andrés and World Central Kitchen, the non-profit organization that feeds people in disaster-stricken areas around the world.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex support a number of community help centers for Central World cuisine. The structures will be permanent, built to act as quick service kitchens activated in an emergency, such as natural disasters, with the ability to move to community centers, schools and clinics. The team sees the integrated approach as a way to promote more resilient local food systems.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Photographer: Chris Jackson / Getty Images
The first of the four centers is being built on the Caribbean island of Domenica, which was hit hard by Hurricanes Maria and Irma in 2017. It is expected to open in early 2021. The second will be established in Puerto Rico; the other two locations were not announced.
“The health of our communities depends on our ability to connect to our common humanity,” Markle and Prince Harry said in an email. “When we think of Chef Andrés and his incredible team at World Central Kitchen, we are reminded that even during a year of unimaginable hardships, there are so many amazing people willing – and working tirelessly – to support each other. reciprocal. World Central Kitchen inspires us through compassion in action. “
The Duke and Duchess did not want to comment on the amount of money they contribute to the effort. The cost of each center will vary by location, but Nate Mook, CEO of World Central Kitchen, estimated that each installation would require an initial investment of at least $ 50,000 to start and operate.
The couple confirmed that they will work with Andrés to bring in additional partners to build more community help centers around the world. They said they have no immediate plans to visit the centers due to coronavirus restrictions, but plan to do so in the future.
The design of each center will depend on the location. “One of our biggest strengths is being able to take action quickly to feed those in need after a disaster,” says Mook.
José Andrés, chef and founder of World Central Kitchen.
Photographer: Mike Jett / WCK
World Central Kitchen has distributed 50 million tables in 17 countries since it began in 2010. In 2018, Andrés was nominated for the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize.
“We are more energetic than ever to continue this vital activity,” Andrés said in an email, “and we are proud to be hand in hand with the Archewell Foundation and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. I got to know them both well and I think their values are directly aligned with what we say at World Central Kitchen. “