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#Changing the way we see food – changing the world.

This website was created with the support of ISAR Ednannia as part of the 'Civil Society Sectoral Support Initiative' project, implemented by ISAR Ednannia in consortium with the Ukrainian Center for Independent Political Research (UCIPR) and the Centre for Democracy and Rule of Law (CEDEM), with the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Additional support was provided by the ISAR Ednannia Civil Society House under the project 'Strong Civil Society of Ukraine – a Driver of Reforms and Democracy', funded by Norway and Sweden.

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Food changes the world.We change food culture.

cultfood

Our Team

We are a team of changemakers who believe that a healthy nation starts with what we eat every day. For us, proper nutrition isn’t just about food—it’s about opportunities for growth, development, success, and transformation.

cultfood

We bring together experts from different fields to act efficiently and holistically, creating practical solutions that truly work. From educational programs to improving culinary education, we make healthy choices simple and accessible.

Our goal isn’t just to solve isolated problems—we strive to build lasting change. By collaborating with partners, uniting diverse people and organizations, and scaling promising initiatives, we work together to shape a healthier future.

Yevhen Klopotenko

Founder & Head of Cult Food Initiative

Ukrainian chef, creative entrepreneur, and public figure who has turned food into a tool for change. He doesn’t just cook - he reimagines Ukraine’s flavors, introduces them to the world, and shapes a new food culture for future generations.

Yevhen Klopotenko

Together we hit obstacles

Yevhen Klopotenko

Mission, Vision, and Values

  • Mission

    To nurture a healthier Ukrainian nation by transforming food culture and developing skilled professionals in the culinary industry.

  • Vision

    We envision a Ukraine where healthy eating is accessible to everyone, where people understand its importance and make conscious food choices, and where nutrition is recognized as the foundation of both physical and mental well-being.


    We also dream of a future where culinary vocational education is prestigious, where institutions train top-tier specialists, and where chefs are motivated and empowered to build successful careers in this field.

  • Values

    1. Social responsibility

      We feel a deep responsibility not only to today’s society but also to future generations. That’s why our goal is not change for the sake of change—we aim to solve socially significant issues and support vulnerable communities. Our actions lead to measurable results with a lasting, positive impact.
    2. Structure, integration & innovation

      We take a strategic approach to change, covering multiple areas of activity. This allows us to implement truly sustainable solutions—ones that have strong foundations and evolve into long-lasting systems. At the same time, we stay open to new ideas and continuously introduce innovative approaches that drive progress and engage different generations.
    3. Professionalism & Growth

      We operate ethically and efficiently, maintaining high standards in everything we do. We constantly ask ourselves: Can we set an example? Learning and self-improvement are part of our daily mindset.

Our Story

  1. CultFood is a social initiative founded in 2017 by chef and culinary expert Yevhen Klopotenko to revolutionize Ukraine’s food culture.

    Initially launched as a small activist group, the project evolved into a fully-fledged public organization by 2021.

    In 2023, it adopted the name CultFood.

    cultfood
  2. It all started with school meals. Officially, the menus failed to meet children’s modern nutritional needs. In reality, the food was outdated, tasteless, and often met with frustration, leading students to avoid the cafeteria altogether. With grant support, we developed a recipe book of 110 well-balanced and truly delicious meals for school canteens.

    By 2020, thanks to an initiative led by Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska, school nutrition reform became a national priority. CultFood was invited to join the working group, expanding its efforts beyond the recipe book to comprehensive, nationwide changes, including:

    • Training school chefs
    • Developing educational materials
    • Launching public awareness campaigns on healthy eating
    cultfood
  3. Since then, our impact has grown far beyond school meal reform. We now work on:

    • Promoting healthy eating habits among children and youth
    • Culinary therapy -combining cooking with psychological support to help children heal
    • Reforming vocational education in the culinary field and making it a more attractive career choice for young people

    In 2024, we significantly expanded our work in vocational training and professional development, an area we continue to actively develop.

    cultfood

Openness and Accountability

  • Most of our projects are completed with external independent audits conducted by accredited auditing companies in accordance with donor requirements.

    We adhere to the principle of complete transparency, so we publish the results of audits directly on the pages of the relevant projects.

    You can view the results of audits in the Our Projects section by opening the page for each completed project.


  • All our projects are financed transparently. We are grateful to every partner who invests in positive change. Every year, we record not only our expenses but also the impact of our activities. We invite you to see what we have managed to achieve.

  • All our projects are financed transparently. We are grateful to every partner who invests in positive change.

    Every year, we record not only our expenses but also the impact of our activities. We invite you to see what we have managed to achieve.

  • All our projects are financed transparently. We are grateful to every partner who invests in positive change.

    Every year, we record not only our expenses but also the impact of our activities. We invite you to see what we have managed to achieve.

Want to be part of the change?

Have ideas, want to collaborate, or support our mission? Reach out to us—together, we can achieve more!

Let’s Collaborate
  • Transparency & Partnership

    We work openly and independently, bringing together as many stakeholders as possible. After all, real impact isn’t made alone—it’s achieved through collaboration and teamwork. By fostering partnerships and engaging in dialogue, we can create large-scale, meaningful change faster and more effectively. We are always accessible and open to the public.

    2017 - Foundation

    CultFood founded by Yevhen Klopotenko to improve the culture of healthy eating in schools.

    Yevhen Klopotenko

    2018 - Recipe Collection

    Official approval of a recipe book with 110 new school meals. The updated menu was voluntarily adopted by 5,000 schools nationwide.

    Recipe collection

    2019 - Teaching Experience

    Yevhen Klopotenko is actively involved in the educational process at one of Kyiv’s specialized colleges, where, as a teacher and practitioner, he teaches students the intricacies of working in the kitchen. Later, some of Yevhen’s students go on to work at his restaurant, “100 Years Back to the Future.” His successful teaching experience forms the foundation for a broader vision of food reform in Ukraine.

    cooking process

    2020 - Reforming

    School nutrition reform becomes a national priority. CultFood, led by Yevhen Klopotenko, plays a key role, with Yevhen serving as the reform’s ambassador.

    School nutrition

    2021 - Formalization of the Initiative

    The CultFood initiative officially registers as a public organization under the initial name “Gastroprykhozhanie”.

    meeting

    2022 - Culinary Therapy

    Launch of a culinary therapy program to provide psychosocial support for children, teenagers, and families affected by war. This innovative approach proved to be highly effective.

    cooking

    2023 - NGO “CultFood”

    The organization renames itself CultFood, marking a year of major expansion and achievements:

    • Launch of the “Hraimo” project – an interactive educational program where children learn about healthy eating through games.
    • Establishment of culinary hubs in Ternopil, Odesa, and Poltava regions to retrain school chefs.
    • Development and publication of a new recipe book featuring 600+ healthy school meal recipes.
    CultFood

    2024 - Continued Expansion

    Further expansion of CultFood’s initiatives:

    1. Retraining over 300 vocational instructors using a cascading training method.
    2. Hosting a career orientation competition to attract 8th-9th graders to vocational education.
    3. Initiating the development of an innovative vocational education institution through a public-private partnership model.
    cooking