We’ve been busy this winter and spring. Since our last update, we’ve:
- Launched weekend pickups. Our recent collaboration with two student-run organizations—Tufts Food Rescue and BU’s Student Food Rescue—has enabled us to finally roll out much-needed weekend pickups of food donations from five of our partner grocery stores during their busiest times. Read more about this exciting food rescue expansion!
- Enjoyed increased food donations.
- Whole Foods recently engaged the Food Donation Connection to train their staff and help streamline their food donation system. This has resulted in an increase in their already sizeable donations—three cheers for you, Whole Foods!
- Food For Free will pick up at Harvard University during commencement week, a first.
- Lovin’ Spoonfuls, a fellow food rescue organization, connected Food For Free to Earthfest, where we picked up 5,000 lbs of donated food!
- Added five new recipient agencies. A hearty welcome to: Family Center Somerville, Men’s Health and Recovery Program, Prospect Hill Academy Lower School, Church of Holiness Medford, and Living Fields Church (our first recipient agency in Lynn, MA!)
- Hosted two wonderful community events.
- Our Empty Bowls benefit, hosted by Mudflat Pottery School & Studio in Somerville, featured 500 handmade bowls, 50 gallons of soup, 5 musicians, 400 attendees (ranging from babies to seniors!), and over $6500 raised for our Produce Rescue work. Did you miss it? Don’t worry, Empty Bowls has been officially declared an annual event! Check out these lovely photos by Linda Haas! See anyone you know?
- Our first-annual Four Burgers cookout brought supporters out to the sidewalks of Central Square to feast on 4B’s grass-fed burgers and house-cut fries while also promoting Produce Rescue. (Pictures!)