Through this organization, Ray wants to teach kids how to cook, feed children who are hungry, and give money to fund cooking scholarships.

"Growing up, I had a very healthy relationship with food and cooking and, throughout my life, I've met people who were positively influenced by lessons learned in the kitchen," said Ray in the release. "We've created Yum-o! to introduce more kids to cooking, which can have such a meaningful impact on their lives and health. Food definitely brings a smile to my face and so many great memories can be made by spending time together as a family in the kitchen.”

Ray and Yum-o! recognize, though, that not every child is lucky enough to have easy access to healthy food. A recent USDA study said that the rate of food insecurity in US households in 2005 was 11%, according to the press release. This translates into over 35 million people not having sufficient food, with almost 13 million of those people being kids.

In addition, Yum-o! wants to assist children in eventually becoming employed in the food industry. To this end, Yum-o! will not only give money to scholarships, but also help cooking programs.

Yum-o! will also work to help kids and parents create food that is easy to make, healthy to eat, cheap, and tasty. The organization aims to take away the fear factor that so many beginning cooks face when approaching the kitchen. The group’s web site, www.Yum-o.org , has recipes and will evolve into a community where cooks of all ages can discuss their tricks of the trade.

"We want to get parents and kids cooking healthier breakfasts, lunches, lunchboxes and dinners and we want to make food fun, fast and affordable for American families,” said Ray in the press release. "Our goal is to get great recipes out there and to listen to parents' and kids' concerns about health and nutrition, and what their kids are eating both at school and at home."

Until next time!