In McLean, food often feels abundant, but for high school junior Amelia Cho, it’s about more than access—it’s about responsibility. After moving from Korea at age ten, Amelia was struck by the difference in school lunches. “In Korea, meals were balanced and diverse. Here, I saw unhealthy pizza and cheese sticks being served consistently. This was the first moment that made me realize the social gap between food systems and how much food impacts both education and health.”
At just sixteen, Amelia founded Mindful Meals, now with chapters in Virginia, California, and Canada. The youth-led nonprofit makes healthier food accessible, educates communities about nutrition, and rethinks food donations beyond processed cans. “Donating food isn’t enough if it’s not actually something people can use or benefit from. This made me think more deeply about foods to serve and provide,” she says.
Partnering with SHARE of McLean, Giant, and local schools, Amelia and her team design projects that bring practical solutions to families. One favorite: themed drives for healthier snacks. “If you’re going to snack, let’s make it healthier. That way, donations aren’t just food—they’re options people enjoy.”
Her peers—Bayann, Miles, and Sophie—are central to the mission. From running fundraisers to organizing volunteers, they keep the organization moving. “I realized if I wanted real progress, I needed a team,” Amelia says.
Education is at the core of everything Mindful Meals does. “If students learn what food really is—where it comes from, what it does for your body—that’s how change becomes long-term.” To reach younger audiences, the group created a five-part children’s book series on food and health, soon to be available in local libraries and classrooms.
Though Mindful Meals is expanding nationally, Amelia remains inspired by her McLean roots. “There’s so much generosity here—it makes McLean a really good place to start change.”
Her own relationship with food reflects that outlook. She lights up when describing her favorite Korean dish, kimchi stew, and her love of pasta, which she sees as equally adaptable. “Both let you make endless variations—it’s the same concept.” That sense of flexibility guides her vision for food access. “People will always want pizza or snacks. The question is, how can we make those options healthier, just as quick, and still delicious?”
Her answer blends practicality and optimism: introduce better brands, teach families to read labels, and show that mindful eating doesn’t have to be complicated.
For Amelia, food is a starting point for something bigger: stronger students, healthier families, and more connected communities. “Our mission is to provide healthy food, advocate for smarter food policy, and educate the next generation,” she says.
At an age when many are focused on SATs and sports, Amelia Cho is proving that leadership can look different—nourishing both body and community, one mindful meal at a time.