 | This article contains promotional content .(November 2020) |
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| Formation | 1982 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Helen verDuin Palit, Jason Kliot, Harley Brooke-Hitching, Peter Schmidt |
| Type | Non-profit organization |
| Focus | Food rescue, Food waste reduction |
| Location |
|
| Employees | 160 |
| Volunteers | 20,000 |
| Website | Official website |
City Harvest is one of New York City's largest food rescue organizations. The organization collects food waste from restaurants, bakeries, and cafes. [1]
City Harvest is a nonprofit organization that was established in 1982. Its primary objective is to address hunger and food waste in New York City by collecting surplus food from various sources.[ citation needed ]
Its founders included Helen verDuin Palit, Jason Kliot, Harley Brooke-Hitching, and Peter Schmidt. [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] The operation relies on the services of roughly 160 employees and 20,000 volunteers annually. [7] Fresh fruits and vegetables form more than half of the rescued food. [8]
In 2005, City Harvest began holding two free farmers' market-style distributions in low-income communities each month. [9] The operation now includes nine Mobile Markets – two per borough – each month, distributing approximately three million pounds of fresh produce a year. In 2013, these markets delivered around one million pounds of produce to 50,000 residents.[ citation needed ]
In December 2011, City Harvest opened its 45,400 square foot Food Rescue Facility in Long Island City, Queens. [10] The facility includes a large cooler and freezer to hold perishable food on a short-term basis and a large dry storage area to sort non-perishable goods. [11]
City Harvest hosts annual events such as the City Harvest Gala, [12] Summer in the City, [13] and BID. [14]
City Harvest’s Food Council has more than 70 members. The current chair of the Food Council is Geoffrey Zakarian. Founding Food Council members include:
Since 2006, the Healthy Neighborhoods initiative has expanded access to produce and has offered nutrition education to residents. These programs target high-need communities throughout the five boroughs. [19]
City Harvest delivers over 10 million pounds of food (60% of which produces) each year to emergency food programs located within designated Healthy Neighborhoods. [9] Soup kitchens and food pantries are then able to offer participants a variety of food. Through the Agency Capacity Expansion (ACE) program, City Harvest offers grants for one-time projects to selected emergency food programs to upgrade facilities and services. In addition, City Harvest University's courses teach agencies core skill sets. [20]
Developed by Share Our Strength, Cooking Matters workshops educate all age groups on how to develop and maintain a healthy diet. City Harvest teaches customers how to find affordable, healthy foods in their communities. [21]
City Harvest also uses a nutrition education curriculum to work with low-income seniors. [22]
City Harvest advocates at the city, state, and federal levels for programs, policies, and actions to change the conditions that result in food insecurity and hunger. [23] City Harvest also provides low-income New Yorkers with access to federal nutrition programs and regional food supplies. [24]
In 1989, City Harvest founder Helen verDuin Palit received a presidential citation for a private sector initiative from President George H. W. Bush as part of his 1,000 Points of Light program. [25]
In 2003, Executive Director Julia Erickson was named the James Beard Foundation's Humanitarian of the Year, in recognition of City Harvest's work supporting recovery workers at Ground Zero, following 9/11. [26]
In 2008, Charity Navigator awarded City Harvest with 4 stars in their charity ranking system. [27] The Robin Hood Foundation awarded a $400,000 grant to City Harvest in 2009 based on the efficiency of City Harvest’s unique food rescue model. [28]
The following year Executive Director Jilly Stephens was honored at the Annual Spirit of ABNY (Association for a Better New York) awards as a select New Yorker who has provided a distinguished level of service to New York City. [29]
In The New York Times Company’s annual Nonprofit Excellence Awards, City Harvest was awarded the Silver Prize for Excellent Management in 2011. [30]
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