what is a scratch kitchen

A scratch kitchen is a kitchen where all recipes, dishes, and products are made from raw, fresh ingredients, and prepared using scratch cooking methods. This means that every element of the dish, including the tasks necessary to produce it, are executed from start to finish without shortcuts. Scratch kitchens prioritize the use of fresh, whole ingredients and avoid frozen, canned, or processed foods. Some scratch kitchens also incorporate local, organic options and may work with local farmers to obtain the freshest produce. The concept of scratch cooking is not limited to restaurants, as it can also be applied in school meal programs to provide nutritious and delicious meals using raw proteins, whole grains, and fresh fruits and vegetables.