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Kitchen Compass

Charting the Path to Independence Through Food and Skill-Building

A young boy standing at a counter cutting a cucumber into rounds on a cutting board.

Kitchen Compass supports young adults as they transition from foster care to independent living.

We are helping young adults:

  • Build practical cooking skills & gain confidence in the kitchen

  • Access fresh food

  • Develop lifelong habits for health and self-sufficiency

Support Kitchen Compass Today

What is Kitchen Compass?

Kitchen Compass is a six-month, hands-on cooking and food literacy program for young adults transitioning out of foster care at The Hope Center at Pullen.

We blend practical skill-building through cooking demonstrations and short lessons paired with food access support to meet clients where they are and help them build confidence in the kitchen.

Why It Matters

Young adults aging out of foster care face significant challenges accessing affordable, healthy food. Many experience food insecurity, and have limited experience preparing meals, navigating food assistance programs, and budgeting for groceries.

By strengthening skills and reducing barriers, we’re helping them build habits that support long-term health and independence.

Our pilot program is currently running through October 2026.

We are excited to offer the program again in 2027!

Kait of Burkett Farm writing brainstormed food topics on a wall with Kitchen Compass participants looking on.
Kait of Burkett Farm laughing with smiling Kitchen Compass clients as they brainstorm food topics they want to learn about.
Kitchen Compass client using a garlic press to press garlic into a bowl while prepping Caesar salad dressing.
Kait of Burkett Farm holding a piece of rotisserie chicken while explaining how to remove meat from the bone. A Kitchen Compass client is removing meat from another piece in the background.
Three Kitchen Compass clients and Kait from Burkett Farm leaning over a table with cutting boards to look at recipes together.
Kait of Burkett Farm laughing behind the cooking demo table with three Kitchen Compass Clients looking on with their backs to the camera.
A Kitchen Compass client dropping sliced cabbage into a mixing bowl. Another client is chopping green onions.
Tori of Food Equity Collaborative holding two spice kits showing a Kitchen Compass client what's inside. On the table are many kitchen tools for clients to take home, such as pans, kitchen towels, spatulas, and measuring cups.
Kait of Burkett Farm showing a Kitchen Compass client where to cut green onion on a cutting board.
Kait of Burkett Farm and a Kitchen Compass client crack eggs into a mixing bowl at a table full of zucchini muffin ingredients.
A woman measuring dry ingredients into a mixing bowl using a scale while others look on.
Several Kitchen Clients look on as Kait of Burkett Farm shows them how to use a toothpick to tell if the muffins are fully baked.
A woman using a box grater to shred zucchini on a cutting board.
Two women looking at a paper reading a "Revive your leftovers" worksheet with tips and an activity.
Bowtie pasta with broccoli pesto sauce ready to be mixed in.
Two Kitchen Compass clients looking at the NC seasonality chart as they complete an ingredient swap with in-season fruits and veggies activity.
Kitchen Compass client preparing basil for pesto with Kait from Burkett Farm.
Graphic describing each session's cook, learn, and take home components. Take home healthy frozen meals, fresh produce, and a grocery gift card. Learning includes food safety, cooking terms, nutrition labels, using leftovers, and meal planning

Program Components

All attendees receive:

  • Starter spice kit

  • Digital thermometer

  • Access to custom website with all recipes we cook, notes from each session, and additional food and nutrition resources

  • Support navigating food assistance programs upon request

After every session, each attendee chooses kitchen tools to build out their own kitchen and use their new skills at home!

FEC Executive Director showing a client their new spice kit standing over a table with kitchen tools to pick from, including baking sheets, pans, kitchen towels, whisks, spatulas, and more.

Our Partners

The Hope Center at Pullen logo.

The Hope Center at Pullen is Wake County’s only organization dedicated exclusively to supporting young adults transitioning out of the foster care system. The Hope Center empowers emerging adults with the support and connections needed for a safe and stable adulthood.

Kitchen Compass will be offered to their clients living in residence.

Burkett Farm logo.

Burkett Farm aims to show and share solutions for a more resilient food system through experimentation, education, and community partnerships.

Kait, Burkett Farm’s Program Director, will assist with Kitchen Compass’ design and programming, and Burkett Farm will provide fresh produce boxes to clients.

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Two men stand looking at each other in a row of greens growing in a large field.
A young boy standing at a counter cutting a cucumber into rounds on a cutting board.

Food Equity Collaborative is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. No goods or services will be provided in exchange for your contribution. Your contribution is tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the Charitable Solicitation Licensing Section at 888-830-4989. The license is not an endorsement by the State.