It used to be that winter was a quieter season here at Food For Free. With Thanksgiving long gone and most farmers’ markets closed for the year, we used to spend winter quietly planning for the coming year, while continuing to rescue food from our many year-round donors.

This winter has been anything but quiet.



We’ve been hiring.

• Lauren O’Brien (above) has replaced Suzannah McFerran as Program Coordinator for the Cambridge Weekend Backpack Program. She’ll be helping Alanna to order, pack, and distribute food and will work with Rindge School of Technical Arts chefs to expand their Food Justice curriculum. We are excited by her energy and focus on the issue of food justice and sustainability and how that will shape the program for the future!
• John Haak has replaced Veronica Barron as part of the Development team. As Development Assistant, he’ll be the new voice of our social media. Say “hi” to him at the Empty Bowls event on April 22!
• Sarah Adkins started on February 2 in the new position of Operations Coordinator. Sarah will provide an all-important link between our Food Rescue operations and our direct-service programs, like the School Markets, helping to ensure that these programs get the food and other resources they need to run smoothly.
• And, finally, Amy Starzec joined Family Meals on February 7 as Program Coordinator. Previously a volunteer with the program, Amy will be helping Fiona to turn rescued prepared food into delicious single-serving meals at the Christ Church kitchen.

We’ve been growing.

Family Meals has started delivering meals to:

• Hildebrand Family Self-Help Center
• Transition House
• Somerville Family Learning Collaborative
• Bunker Hill Community College
• Home Suites in Waltham, where homeless families are being sheltered as part of the state’s hotel-shelter program
  

Food Rescue is now serving:

• Cambridge School Volunteers after-school homework help program. Once a week, we bring fresh fruit so that students can concentrate on their homework instead of their hunger.

And is about to start rescuing food from:

• The Davis Square bfresh

And, finally, we’ve been in the news.

• 2017/1/24: City helps restore cuts to child meals program WickedLocal Cambridge article
• 2016/12/22: All you can waste: How buffet-style food is causing donation hesitation WasteDive feature
• 2016/12/19: Budget Cuts Could Impact Free Food Program for Students in Cambridge NECN | Video
• 2016/12/13: Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services helps homebound seniors with Brown Bag Program Wicked Local Somerville
• 2016/12/12: The Cambridge Food Conundrum Harvard Crimson article