Welcome to Broadway Stages’ Spotlight, where we feature local shops, restaurants, organizations, individuals, and venues. During the month of November, we are expressing our gratitude to those who make our city great by providing services, support, and fellowhip to our neighbors. This week we spotlight the extraordinary work being done at Rethink Food to hel battle food insecurity..

New York City may well be the culinary capital of the world. In fact, it is estimated that there are over 22,000 restaurants in the city this year. Even so, approximately 1 in 4 children in the city experience food insecurity. That is why Rethink Food (or Rethink) is such a brilliant idea put into practice!

Matt Jozwiak moved to New York City in 2015. While working on a program to teach youth how to make nutritious food, he realized what a challenge food access was. So, he began working on a solution to bridge the gap between the billion tons of unused food and the millions of people facing food insecurity.

So, in 2017, Chef Jozwiak and a group of like-minded friends founded Rethink to collect excess food and provide nutritious meals for people without food security at low or no cost. With an estimated 1.5 million people in the city without food security, this mission is more relevant than ever. The good news is it is easy enough to get involved in the solution!

Restaurants, grocery stores, and corporate partners can join Rethink to provide their overabundance to nourish their neighbors throughout the city. In addition, professionals in the food service industry can gain valuable experience and learn more about creating a more sustainable and equitable food system by joining the Rethink Network.

As with all successful non-profit organizations, volunteers are an essential part of Rethink’s work and mission. Whether it’s at the Commissary Kitchen, with a Rethink partner, or with NYC schools, there are many ways you can contribute to a more sustainable future. And, of course, financial donations are always welcome.

In March 2020, the organization shifted its operations to serve the growing need in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. As part of Rethink’s pandemic response, the organization expanded to a national scope, including operations in Miami, San Francisco, Chicago, and Nashville. You can follow their updates on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

We invite you to join us in making a difference in the lives of our neighbors by lending a hand or making a donation to help battle food insecurity.  Together we can make a difference.