Cooking Up a Movement: The Passion-Driven Path to Food on the Stove with Jonathan Tate

Jonathan Tate had an idea sparked by a phrase he kept hearing on the fireground - "slow your response, it's just food on the stove." This led to the realization that the food firefighters are eating is negatively impacting their health.
The motivation behind Food on the Stove is alarming statistics about firefighter health. 44% of line of duty deaths among firefighters are cardiac related. And studies show firefighters live up to 15 years less than the average American.
As Tate points out, firefighters are the only occupation that cooks all 3 meals at work. While firehouse meals are often delicious, they aren't always the healthiest options, especially for the price.
Food on the Stove aims to put healthier meals on firehouse tables through nutrition education and supplemental funding. They've already provided over 60,000 meals to area firehouses.
One program is called Farm to Firehouse, modeled after meal kit delivery services. Donations provide the ingredients and recipes to create healthy, affordable meals right at the fire station.
Food on the Stove also partners with restaurants and sponsors to deliver fully prepared healthy meals. Their goal is to bring the enjoyment of dining out to shift meals at the fire station.
In additional to providing meals, Food on the Stove hosts events that promote awareness around firefighter health. Their recent DMV Fire & EMS Week in July featured a charity golf event and midnight 5K run.
The nonprofit also creates content to share firefighter stories and impact. This builds engagement and support from both the fire service community and the general public.
While Food on the Stove currently relies on donations and sponsors, founder Jonathan Tate ultimately envisions a self-sustaining model. The goal is to convert unused firehouses into community spaces and local markets. Revenue funds meal support and other firefighter health initiatives.
The key is continuing to advocate for firefighter wellness, bring awareness to the issues they face, and better support the communities protecting ours. Groups like Food on the Stove provide a bridge to involve more citizens in the fire service mission.
Connect with Food on the Stove:
• Website: foodonthestove...
• Instagram: / foodonthestovedc
• Facebook: / foodonthestovedc
• RUclips: / @jonathantate240
Connect with our team:
• Sam Massa, CEO & 24/48 Host: / sammassa
• Chelsea Lassen, Marketing Director & Producer: / chelsea-lassen
• Spencer Carter, Videographer: / spencervisual
• Marina Hunter, Graphic Designer: / marina-hunter
• Allison Saxon, Marketing Specialist: / tabithasaxon
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“The 24/48” is brought to you by HiViz LED Lighting // Produced by Chelsea Lassen // Assisted by Spencer Carter, Marina Hunter, and Allison Saxon

[@LightWarriors4Life]

One thing I can definitely 💯 say is, Firefighters can cook! 💪🏼
I’ve broken bread with some before and they can out cook even some of the professional chefs out there. ❤️🇺🇸
😊💫☀️