Field Partner

Common Threads

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Common Threads was founded by Chef Art Smith, artist Jesus Salgueiro and Linda Novick O’Keefe in 2003. After Chef Art and Jesus spent time cooking for New York families impacted by 9/11, they were inspired by the power of food to heal and bring people together to celebrate traditions and culture while enjoying the benefits of healthy, nutritious meals.

Soon, the nonprofit Common Threads was launched, with the first class offered in a church basement in Chicago in March 2004. The organization soon expanded beyond the Windy City to include expansion to Miami (2009), New York City (2014), Austin and Pittsburgh (2015), and San Antonio, Houston, Dallas-Ft. Worth, El Paso and Erie (2018). Today the organization reaches more than 30,000 children, parents and educators annually through its virtual and in-person cooking and nutrition education programs.