Rancho Cielo provided $1 million in federal funding for Culinary School expansion

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) -- Staff at Rancho Cielo Youth Campus were awarded $1 million in federal funding to beef up its Culinary School program.

A check was presented on Friday by Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren.

The money comes from the Community Project Funding program requested by Lofgren.

Staff at Rancho Cielo said it will help expand the Drummond Culinary Academy where students can continue to learn skills in cooking and baking.

"It will help expand our culinary arts program, not only in the physical footprint of the pastry kitchen we plan to build," said Rancho Cielo CEO Chris Devers," but also in our ability to offer more specialized programming opportunities and training to more students."

Lofgren refers to workforce development programs as important programs that matter.

“Rancho Cielo’s programs set students and families on paths to success to secure good-paying jobs in stable and growing industries," Lofgren said.

Lofgren has secured more than $50 million for projects in the 18th Congressional District, which includes parts of the Central Coast.