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More than Great Food
OUR STORY
Welcome to Food 4 Good, where refugee women and survivors of domestic and family violence are economically empowered by cooking for a living.
Our staff is mentored by professional chefs, restaurants, caterers, and culinary consultants. At Food 4 Good, we require that our chefs receive food handler permits and food manager license certifications.
Food 4 Good exists to honor Margaret Mei-Ying – a chef, restaurateur, and community leader. Through food, culture, and powerful storytelling, we break bread with the community and save lives one bite at a time.
Meet The Team
Operations Director
Noha Mourad
Food Manager - Operations Lead
Claudia Bitroy
Nawarah Shaker
Food Manager
Hello!
Hi! My name is Jin-Ya (sounds like Virginia, just without the "vir"), I am the founder of Break Bread, Break Borders (Now known as Food 4 Good) Nice to meet you!
I grew up in Taipei, Taiwan, where my ancestors were refugees who fled China to escape Communism. At the age of 13, my family fell into poverty when my dad lost his job. Amidst this hardship, my aunt and uncle in Tulsa, Oklahoma, invited us to help with their Chinese fast-food restaurant business. This led to the opening of sixteen franchises across the Southwest, and eventually, my parents bought a franchise in Dallas. My mother, as the chef, inspired me by training immigrants and refugees, offering them better opportunities. When I lost her to cancer, I turned my grief into action by creating Break Bread, Break Borders (Now, Food 4 Good) to continue her legacy.
My mom was my everything, and because of her, I became an interdisciplinary artist focusing on social practice art. Her support took me to my first art lesson at three, and today, I show my work in galleries across Dallas, Miami, and New York, exploring my Asian identity and immigrant experiences. Food 4 Good started as a community art project but grew into a social enterprise, empowering refugee women through food and culture storytelling. My background in the sustainable global supply chain and extensive marketing experience helped launch the business and advance its mission of community development, equity, and social justice.
As a published writer, public speaker, and community leader, I have been featured on platforms like the TODAY Show, TEDxSMU, TIME Magazine, and NPR. I serve on various advisory boards, including LiftFund and the Dallas Museum of Art, and have been recognized for my work in building bridges across communities. I am honored to have been named one of D Magazine’s "78 Women Changing the Face of Dallas" and a fellow of the Presidential Leadership Scholars Program.
Through my work with Food 4 Good, I strive to heal and serve communities, using art and food as tools for empowerment, while continuing my mother's legacy and creating a better world for my son and others.
With Gratitude,
Jinya
