Historic Tchoup Building To Be Fresh, Healthy Kitchen

A century-old historic cotton press on Tchoupitoulas is being renovated by the Volunteers of America, and will become the headquarters of their Fresh and Healthy Food Program including in a state-of-the-art kitchen. The Fresh and Healthy Kitchen will employ more than 125 people in a job-training culinary arts program and will provide quality lunches with fresh foods to local schools. "Our goal is to use this program to meet critical community needs such as fighting childhood obesity and job training for the unemployed," CEO Jim LeBlanc states in a press release. There may also be an urban garden.

Yesterday a groundbreaking was held for the $18.5 million riverfront project, which has been in development since 2007, but plagued by difficulties securing financing. An adjoining building will become an apartment complex, with 52 units geared toward attracting residents who work downtown.

· Century Old Cotton Press on Tchoupitoulas to Become Fresh Food Kitchen, Office Space, Apartments [UptownMessenger]
· All Coming Attractions [ENOLA]