AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Central Texas Food Bank is ramping up its culinary training program to help combat food insecurity and provide job opportunities in the food industry. The program aims to equip participants with a comprehensive set of skills beyond just culinary techniques so they can work in various roles within the food sector. Central Texas Food Bank opens new pantry at AISD elementary school "Not only do we teach them front of the house skills, back of the house skills, how to cook, but there's also resume writing, interview skills, financial literacy," Central Texas Food Bank President and CEO Sari Vatske said. "We really want to make sure we are setting up our graduates for success." The program includes a unique partnership with Indeed, where students spend a day at the company's downtown Austin offices to refine their resumes and job application skills. Food, job assistance easier to access in new nonprofit partnership In addition to the culinary program, the organization is preparing to launch another initiative aimed at providing OSHA and forklift certifications. This six-week curriculum will teach students inventory management, shipping and receiving skills, broadening their employment opportunities. Graduates of the culinary program recently showcased their skills by preparing meals for their graduation ceremony scheduled for Friday afternoon. Graduation day for the Central Texas Food Bank's Culinary Training Program on march 21, 2025 (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)Graduation day for the Central Texas Food Bank's Culinary Training Program on March 21, 2025 (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)Graduation day for the Central Texas Food Bank's Culinary Training Program on march 21, 2025 (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)Graduation day for the Central Texas Food Bank's Culinary Training Program on March 21, 2025 (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)Graduation day for the Central Texas Food Bank's Culinary Training Program on march 21, 2025 (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)Graduation day for the Central Texas Food Bank's Culinary Training Program on March 21, 2025 (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)Graduation day for the Central Texas Food Bank's Culinary Training Program on march 21, 2025 (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)Graduation day for the Central Texas Food Bank's Culinary Training Program on March 21, 2025 (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)Graduation day for the Central Texas Food Bank's Culinary Training Program on march 21, 2025 (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)Graduation day for the Central Texas Food Bank's Culinary Training Program on March 21, 2025 (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)Graduation day for the Central Texas Food Bank's Culinary Training Program on march 21, 2025 (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)Graduation day for the Central Texas Food Bank's Culinary Training Program on March 21, 2025 (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)Graduation day for the Central Texas Food Bank's Culinary Training Program on march 21, 2025 (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)Graduation day for the Central Texas Food Bank's Culinary Training Program on March 21, 2025 (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)Graduation day for the Central Texas Food Bank's Culinary Training Program on march 21, 2025 (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)Graduation day for the Central Texas Food Bank's Culinary Training Program on March 21, 2025 (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez) To learn more about the programs offered, visit its website. Those interested in applying for the Central Texas Food Bank's Culinary Training Program can do so online. All facts from this article were gathered by KXAN journalists. This article was converted into this format with assistance from artificial intelligence. It has been edited and approved by KXAN staff. Read about our approach to using AI tools.Please give us feedback about this disclosure through this survey: ...read more read less