SciEats, our sliding-scale eatery: affordable meals with special discounts for all

Food. Science. Community.

We have enough. Let's go the last mile.

SciCook is a San Diego 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving free community meals, running a sliding-scale eatery, and teaching hands-on nutrition and cooking classes.

Volunteers preparing meals together in the SciCook kitchen
SciCook volunteers handing out free meals to community members
Kids and adults chopping vegetables during a nutrition class
10,000+free mealssince June 2026
143+community volunteers

$1 provides one free, nutritious meal.

Give $1

The resources are here. The connections are missing.

Congregations and schools have kitchens that sit unused much of the week. Farms, grocers, and restaurants have surplus food that is still good to eat. Neighbors have skills and a willingness to help.

A kitchen sitting unused cannot feed anyone. The last mile is the gap between what our community already has and the nourishment people can actually reach, whether the barrier is cost, access, or know-how. SciCook exists to close it.

All In Community Meals shows how: St. Luke's Episcopal Church in North Park opens its kitchen, the San Diego Food Bank provides produce, fruit, and meat, SciCook brings nutrition expertise, and donations and grants help fund the work. Over time, as SciEats grows, its revenue will help us feed more people through All In.

Read our story and philosophy

  • We have food.
  • We have kitchens.
  • We have knowledge.
  • We have people who care.
  • What's missing is the connection. That's the last mile.

One mission. Three ways to close the last mile.

Every neighbor's last mile is different. Free meals for those who need them today, affordable nourishing meals for everyday life, and skills to cook well for a lifetime.

All In

Free food access

All In

Volunteer-powered meals for unsheltered neighbors and anyone facing hunger, where people cook, serve, and eat together without the usual divide between giver and receiver. Always free; small donations are welcome but never expected.

Explore All In
SciEats

Affordable food access

SciEats

Our sliding-scale eatery makes balanced, science-informed meals accessible through affordable prices and special discounts. Every meal you enjoy here helps build a lasting source of support for our free All In community meals.

Visit SciEats
Nutrition Education & Cooking

Access to knowledge

Nutrition Education & Cooking

Hands-on classes that connect nutrition science with everyday, culturally familiar cooking.

See upcoming classes

Science improves the food. Education shares the knowledge. Community makes it accessible. More ways to learn and contribute: mentored internships, kitchen training, and team building with social impact.

Meet SciCream

Our fermented, plant-based alternative to heavy cream.

  • Cauliflower body and smooth texture
  • Carrots natural sweetness and color
  • Cashews richness
  • Fermentation depth and gentle tang

Used in dishes like Tikka Masala. We're continuing to study and refine it.

Rooted in tradition. Guided by science.

Know Your Food. Understand Your Nutrition. Eat Well.

At SciCook, we take an evidence-based, common-sense approach to cooking. We look beyond calories to balance protein, fats, complex carbohydrates and fiber, while paying attention to vitamins, minerals and beneficial plant compounds. We use food science to make culturally familiar meals more nourishing without sacrificing flavor.

  • Start with whole foods and familiar dishes
  • Add fiber and plant protein with beans and legumes
  • Build flavor with spices, herbs, and cooking techniques instead of excess sugar, salt, and fat
Our nutritional approach
Dr. Taher Sathaliya, founder and executive director of SciCook

"My kitchen became my second laboratory."

"We carefully choose the right fuel and oil for our cars, so why should we treat our bodies any differently? Food is the fuel that nourishes our bodies—and nutritious, high-quality food should be accessible to everyone."

Dr. Taher Sathaliya (MBBS, PhD)Founder & Executive Director

An immunologist whose research explored interactions between the human immune system and gut microbiome, Dr. Taher Sathaliya also worked in cancer and autoimmune drug development. He brings that scientific curiosity into his second laboratory—the kitchen.

Good food. Real connections.

The gatherings, people, and stories that bring our mission into everyday life.

See all community engagement
North Park Farmers Market

North Park Farmers Market

Meet SciCook in the neighborhood, discover our programs, and connect around food.

Learn more
People make the mission possible

People make the mission possible

Volunteers, partnerships, milestones, and stories from our kitchen and community.

Read stories
Events & celebrations

Events & celebrations

Workshops, cultural celebrations, and neighborhood gatherings around food.

See upcoming events

The last mile is ours to walk together.

Healthcare professionals, educators, faith communities, businesses, and neighbors all have something to bring. Volunteer, partner with us, share your expertise, or help fund nutritious community meals. There's a place for everyone at the table.