NYC Nonprofit Fights Food Waste and Hunger With Restaurant Leftovers

Rethink Food: Transforming Restaurant Leftovers into Meals for New Yorkers

Rethink Food, a New York City-based nonprofit, is tackling two pressing issues: food waste and hunger. Founded in 2017 by Matt Jozwiak and his friend Daniel Humm, the organization collects excess food from restaurants and businesses across the city, transforming it into nutritious meals for communities in need.

<figure> <img src="https://d.newsweek.com/en/full/2462314/culinary-director-ken-baker-preparing-dish.jpg?w=1200&amp;f=72771b0436867707c26bf2b05d152765" alt="Culinary Director Ken Baker preparing a dish using tomatoes at the Sustainable Community Kitchen in New York City. The kitchen makes meals from excess restaurant food and distributes it to those who need it." width="1200" height="901"> <figcaption> Rethink Food </figcaption> </figure>

Since its inception, Rethink Food has prepared and distributed over 26 million meals and saved 2.5 million pounds of food waste. The organization works with a variety of partners, including restaurants, food banks, and community organizations, to ensure meals reach those experiencing food insecurity.

Adapting to the Pandemic and Beyond

The COVID-19 pandemic presented both challenges and opportunities for Rethink Food. As restaurants struggled to stay afloat and unemployment soared, the organization pivoted its model to support both struggling restaurants and food-insecure communities.

The Rethink Certified program purchased meals directly from local restaurants, providing a lifeline to businesses while addressing growing food insecurity. This program also helped Rethink Food expand its reach, working with community-based organizations, food banks, and nonprofits to ensure meals reached the most vulnerable.

Feeding Migrants and Building a Sustainable Future

In 2023, Rethink Food expanded its efforts to include feeding migrants in New York City. The organization established Rethink Services to handle partnerships and contracts with government agencies and other nonprofits, ensuring that all New Yorkers experiencing food insecurity have access to nutritious meals.

Rethink Food's commitment to building a more just and equitable food system extends beyond meal distribution. The organization also provides grants to help restaurants rehire staff and provide meals at affordable prices. This multifaceted approach aims to address both immediate needs and systemic issues contributing to food insecurity.

Get Involved

There are many ways to support Rethink Food's mission. You can volunteer at the organization's kitchen or at a partner organization, donate excess food from your restaurant or business, or even host an event with the nonprofit.

Together, we can help reduce food waste and ensure everyone has access to nutritious, delicious meals.