Downstate Partners with Mobile Teaching Kitchen Initiative to Transform Community Health and Nutrition

By Office of the President | Oct 30, 2023

The School of Public Health (SPH) has partnered with the Mobile Teaching Kitchen (MTK) Initiative to advance health and nutrition outreach in Brooklyn and provide education about nutritious eating, wholesome cooking techniques, and eco-friendly food habits. Originating in India, MTK’s mission is to uplift women in disadvantaged and sidelined communities via entrepreneurship and nutritional learning.

SPH faculty and students are invested in initiatives that encourage healthier living and tackle food scarcity issues, underscored by the work of Downstate’s Committee on Plant-Based Health and Nutrition. SPH recently welcomed MTK delegates to brainstorm and delineate partnership details, such as pinpointing preceptors, training volunteers, and selecting Brooklyn neighborhoods for aid. Consequently, MTK and Downstate have jointly organized multiple events, like cooking showcases at the Brownsville Community Culinary Center.

Thank you to Elizabeth P. Helzner, Ph.D., MS, DipACLM, interim chair of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and associate professor, for spearheading this project, including organization and logistics. Aimee Afable, Ph.D., MPH, associate dean of SPH Community Engagement and associate professor of Community Health Sciences, and Mariana Markell, M.D., professor of Medicine and the Kidney Transplant medical director, are also commended for their work in fostering healthier and more sustainable communities.

MTK projects now exist in parts of Mexico, Washington, D.C., and Brooklyn, with plans to expand globally.