Walnut & Park
Café
Our story begins with the people behind the espresso machine.
We know you came to Walnut & Park looking for a great cup of coffee. We’re happy you found us – you came to the right place.
But there’s a lot more to us than a rich batch brew and a fresh blueberry muffin. Our story begins with the people behind the espresso machine.
Most Walnut & Park employees are residents of KPEP, an innovative community corrections provider based here in Kalamazoo. The men and women who prepare the lattes, cinnamon rolls, sandwiches and salads are students or graduates of the KPEP culinary arts program – a vocational program developed in partnership with Canteen Services and the Michigan Career & Technical Institute.
This rigorous 10-week training program equips men and women who have been incarcerated with the job skills they need to help turn their lives around, live independently and contribute to the community. They can earn certifications and can put these skills to work, not only at Walnut & Park Café, but at restaurants, hotels, food service companies and other employers in and around the Kalamazoo area.
Thanks for dropping by and for allowing us the privilege to serve the community in this way.
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