Baltimore’s Culinary Revolution: How Innovative Chefs are Satisfying the City’s Growing Appetite

A colorful orange van rolled up to Baltimore’s Penn North neighborhood, bringing hope to a growing line of people waiting for meals. Sue May, a vibrant 55-year-old, stepped out with her team from Love & Cornbread, a nonprofit she started to distribute food and foster community connection.

More faces appeared in the lines recently—some familiar, others new. The need for meals has surged, pushing the organization to double its output. Yet they often run out of food within an hour. May attributes this escalating demand to cuts in federal food programs, soaring living costs, and a shaky job market. “It’s getting worse,” she said, reflecting the struggles many face today.

May’s journey to Penn North started in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement. Yearning for community connection, she began by sharing homemade meals, fostering relationships with residents who gradually started to help her.

Today, Love & Cornbread produces about 26,000 meals a year, serving not just Penn North, but also senior centers and youth programs. The goal isn’t just to provide food; it’s about building a supportive network. Partnerships with local organizations offer health screenings and mental health support alongside meals, addressing broad community needs.

In Penn North, where many lack access to healthy food, residents often rely on corner stores that offer only processed snacks. Cooking balances the problem; many who come for meals live in shared or abandoned spaces without kitchens.

Amid the challenges, volunteers believe in lifting spirits. James Briscoe, a local volunteer, boosts morale with music and high-fives, saying, “I try to keep it uplifted.” Jerome Allen, a homeless man, shared his relief after receiving a meal, stating, “It means everything to sit down and have a second to eat something.”

Executive Chef Kimberly Daniels leads meal preparation, turning food donations into nourishing dishes. No matter the ingredients, every meal must embody care and quality.

Each Tuesday, May delivers meals to youth programs like AZIZA PEACE, focusing on students with limited access to healthy options due to cuts in funding and resources. Executive Director Saran Fossett emphasizes the significance of these meals, noting they might be the healthiest many kids receive.

Love & Cornbread has recently begun selling its own cornbread mix to generate funds for its initiatives. The funds will help ensure ongoing support to the community. According to May, “Cornbread is the perfect symbolic vehicle for reminding folks that we’re all around the table together.”

In a world facing new challenges, Love & Cornbread remains a beacon of hope and resilience for those in need.



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