Empowering future generations with culinary education

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Who We Are

Mission

To revolutionize children's nutrition and STEAM focused educational experiences through innovative enrichment programs which integrate food as a catalyst for learning, creativity, and health, empowering young minds to embrace self-agency and lifelong healthy habits.

Vision

Through community-centered partnerships, Lunch Bunch Community Foundation aims to inspire generations of empowered individuals who recognize the transformative power of food and its role in shaping a healthier, more informed society. We envision a future where every child has access to comprehensive, and free or subsidized culinary education that fosters a deep understanding of nutrition and enables them to thrive physically, mentally, and academically.

Our Leadership Team

  • Executive Director

    Freya Estreller is currently the COO of DignityMoves, a CA based nonprofit focused on ending unsheltered homelessness by building rapid, scalable and cost-effective interim supportive housing. She and her wife co-founded Coolhaus Ice Cream in 2009 as food truck and artisanal food pioneers. Coolhaus is now the largest women-led and LGBTQIA founded ice cream company and their ice cream pints, sandwiches and cones are sold in over 6,000+ doors all across the US and internationally. Born and raised in Los Angeles (Atwater Village represent!), Freya has a BA in Sociology with a minor in Business from Cornell University. She is a mom to two wonderfully rambunctious kids and is active in youth and entrepreneur mentorship. She is excited to bring her start-up and nonprofit experience to help scale Lunch Bunch Community Foundation and its mission to empower future generations with culinary education.

  • Board Member, Treasurer

    As a founder of studio and venture fund Science Inc., Mike leverages his operational expertise and keen entrepreneurial talent to help Science founders scale highly profitable and successful businesses. Mike develops predictive strategies for portfolio companies, and the firm overall, that taps into future societal shifts and disrupts entrenched markets.

    A longtime Internet executive, entrepreneur, and strategic adviser, Mike spent his career growing businesses ranging from early stage startups to private equity-backed assets to public media companies.

    Mike’s ability to predict the next shift extends beyond his work at Science to when he served as the CEO of Myspace. In his role he foresaw the impact of social influence over software, a predictive strategy he also saw as CEO of Userplane (acquired by AOL), and investment in HouseParty (acquired by Epic). Mike’s work with Mammoth Media, Hello Society and Famebit also highlights how he spotted the future of content and built these brands to thrive at the onset of GenZ’s as content consumers and influencer takeover.

    His experience and expertise in both large and small companies focuses on strategy, growth, and operational efficiency, and has resulted in over $2B in exits (three of which were in 2016 alone). You can get a glimpse of his thought process in this Dollar Shave Club case study or his take on GenZ and Mammoth Media in a case study. Mike currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife and two children, whom he loves writing about.

  • Board Member, Secretary

    After working at a management consulting company doing strategy and operations consulting work for multinational corporations, Mana joined a Private Equity and Venture Capital firm with $20 billion investment capital, to invest in innovation, in startups as well as in corporate restructurings that would lead to innovation. Mana then moved on to be responsible for business development at a cloud robotics startup, and then later to strategize and execute on business R&D activities for a multinational conglomerate, as part of their long term corporate strategy. Mana is currently the CEO of a startup incubator, located in LA.

  • Board Member, President

    Natasha Case is the founder & CEO of Lunch Bunch and serves as President of the board of Lunch Bunch Communita Foundation. She is the co-founder and was the CEO of Coolhaus Ice Cream until its successful acquisition in 2021; it is now part of a public company under the umbrella of Superlatus. She co-founded Future Gin, the first all-queer and women-owned spirit in the US. She became a Commissioner of Cultural Affairs for the City of LA in 2023 and joined the Victory Campaign Board in 2024 along with the Goldhirsh Foundation Investment Advisory Board. Natasha serves on the board of UCLA School of Arts & Architecture, Larchmont Charter School, Startup UCLA, and has served as a judge for Chopped, Top Chef Jr, Alex vs America, the Sam Adams Brewing the American Dream, Ad Age Awards, Inside Eats with Rhett & Link, and Harvard-Westlake Venture Club/Inc. In 2019, she joined YPO (Beverly Hills chapter). Natasha has been named a Forbes 30 Under 30, Zagat 30 Under 30, LinkedIn 10 under 35, 10 Most Successful Women in Business by Leaders Globe, and UCLA’s LGBTQ+ 2019 Alum of the Year. She is a published author of the Coolhaus Ice Cream Book (2014) and was the co-host + executive producer of ‘Start to Sale’ podcast (Eater/Vox Media).

What We Do

At LBCF, we offer turnkey enrichment classes through our community partnerships, with food as the foundation for learning across diverse subjects such as culinary arts, cooking, entrepreneurship, STEM skills, health and fitness, world history, and more. Our programs not only encourage healthy eating habits but also support students' social development. Serving students from TK to 12th grade in the Greater Los Angeles and Southern California area, we welcome kids of all backgrounds and abilities. Our mission is to educate through food, empowering children to make informed, healthy choices by understanding the benefits of nutritious eating and learning how to access and prepare wholesome meals independently.

Darin Brawley, Ed.D., Superintendent of Compton Unified School District

“Our district is committed to nurturing the development of our students, and we see the introduction of Lunch Bunch’s culinary enrichment classes as an opportunity to further this mission. Culinary enrichment is not just an educational tool; it is a vital intervention that empowers our students with knowledge and skills to navigate their food environments. We believe that through this partnership, we can cultivate a generation of students who are not only proficient in culinary arts but also conscious of their role in the broader ecosystem of food sustainability. By educating our students about sustainable food practices, we are investing in their capacity to effect change in their own lives and in the broader community.”

Get Involved

Donate

Your generous donation helps us bring our innovative nutrition and STEAM-focused educational programs to more children, empowering them to develop lifelong healthy habits and creativity. By supporting Lunch Bunch Community Foundation, you are contributing to a future where every child has access to comprehensive culinary education and the transformative power of food. We are a 501(c)(3) organization.

Volunteering & Sponsorship Opportunities

Join our mission to revolutionize children's nutrition and education by volunteering with Lunch Bunch Community Foundation. Whether you support our admin and operations team or serve as a brand ambassador at events, your time and skills will help us inspire and empower the next generation.

Become a sponsor with Lunch Bunch Community Foundation and make a direct impact in your community. Sponsor Lunch Bunch Culinary Enrichment class(es) at a local school or in a community of need, involve your employees in teaching a class, or support our garden projects to help cultivate healthy habits and education for children.

Working With Us

"I am thrilled to share my experiences with Lunch Bunch Community Foundation, an incredible organization dedicated to providing inclusive cooking classes for children of all needs, including neuro-divergent and disabled individuals. I was lucky enough to be a part of creating a safe fun place for some amazing students. Lunch Bunch excels in collaboration. Their team consistently demonstrates a remarkable ability to work together seamlessly, ensuring that every class is a success. They listen actively to my feedback and are always willing to adapt to any changes needed to better serve the children. Their flexibility and responsiveness are key factors in creating an inclusive environment where all children feel welcome and supported. The spirit of teamwork at Lunch Bunch is truly inspiring. Each member of the team brings their unique strengths to the table, contributing to a harmonious and efficient workflow. This teamwork allows for our genuine care and compassion to show for the children we serve. The staff at Lunch Bunch go above and beyond to ensure that each child is engaged, safe, and having fun. Their dedication to making a positive impact is evident in every class they conduct. I absolutely love working with Lunch Bunch. Their commitment allowed me to create inclusivity and innovative classes. Watching the joy on the children's faces as they learn and create is incredibly rewarding. I was able to provide cooking classes tailored to neurodivergent and disabled children, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to participate and thrive. In conclusion, Lunch Bunch is a shining example of what can be achieved through collaboration, adaptability, teamwork, and a caring attitude. I look forward to continuing my work with them and creating even more cooking classes that cater to the diverse needs of all children."

Mayra Perez, M.Ed., BCBA, Core Foundations Consulting

Contact Us

We'd love to hear from you! For information on how to donate or learn more about volunteer or sponsorship opportunities please reach out to us. Contact Lunch Bunch Community Foundation through the form or via email at hello@lunchbunchcf.org, and we will respond as soon as possible.