Yum-o!'s Mission

Launched in 2006 by Rachael Ray, Yum-o!™ is a nonprofit organization that empowers kids and their families to develop healthy relationships with food and cooking by teaching families to cook, feeding hungry kids and funding cooking education and scholarships.

By providing the tools to create easy, affordable and delicious meals, Yum-o! is changing the way America eats.

Our three work areas are:

COOK – Educating kids and their families about cooking
FEED – Feeding hungry American kids
FUND – Funding cooking education and scholarships

Read about our efforts in each area.

Why Yum-o!?

Today's kids and their families are pressed for time. Many don't know how to cook or assemble basic meals or are simply too busy and tired to spend much time in the kitchen. In addition, easy access to inexpensive food with low nutritional value has caused eating habits to deteriorate. Fortunately, most kids and parents are eager to make better food choices if given the necessary tools.

Through our three core work areas of Cook, Feed and Fund, Yum-o! educates kids and their families about cooking, enabling them to explore the joys of food and cooking while making meals that are easy, healthy, affordable and delicious; teams up with partner organizations to feed hungry children; and funds innovative cooking programs in schools and educational opportunities for kids who are interested in pursuing careers in the food industry.

"Yum-o!" is the sound you make when you eat something really delicious. It is kind of a combination of "Yummy!" and "Oh wow!" You can't help but smile when you say it because it's such a fun word to say. A big part of the Yum-o! organization is about making cooking and eating something that makes people happy. Food should be delicious, fun and put a smile on your face.

Eating habits are formed at a young age and, if kids are given opportunities and knowledge, they will make better food choices. Yum-o! envisions a country where all kids realize the joy of cooking and eating great food.

We hope you'll enjoy reading a message from Rachael Ray about growing up in the kitchen and her inspiration for Yum-o!