Matt Jozwiak, CEO of Rethink Food, Opens Community Kitchen in Heart of Greenwich Village

The aroma of sizzling garlic and fresh herbs wafts through the air on Houston Street, New York City, luring passersby toward a sleek storefront. This intimate space, nestled in the heart of Greenwich Village, serves as the new community kitchen for Rethink Food, a nonprofit spearheaded by Matt Jozwiak with an ambitious mission to combat food scarcity while championing sustainability. The kitchen just hosted its first charitable dinner with NodeMonkes and Digitizing during  an annual event for innovations in the non-fungible tokens space.

The dinner showcased an elaborate menu with gourmet eats that could fuel a foodie’s fantasies, including tantalizing fare such as raw-milk cheeses from Abruzzo, whole roast leg of lamb, roasted black cod, fresh Parisian gnocchi and sweet treats such as vanilla panna cotta with mixed berries, fennel and orange biscotti, and olive oil cake.

“We were so glad to host our first charity dinner with NodeMonkes and Digitizing during @nft_nyc week to discuss how Bitcoin is impacting donation giving,” Rethink Food posted on its Instagram page. “Chosen for our commitment to sustainability and innovation in the food system, Rethink Food was the perfect partner to reflect the values of their communities.”

This is the first of many dinners and community events planned for the location, which encompasses two distinct areas. The first exemplifies Rethink Food’s commitment to fostering community engagement and education.

Designed to be multi-use, the kitchen will host educational experiences, dinner series with renowned chefs, and other events, bringing people together to explore culinary traditions and sustainable practices. The second area houses the new community kitchen, a hub of activity where skilled chefs meticulously prepare 18,000 weekly meals — crafted from donated excess food and ingredients — for the local community.

The new community kitchen represents a significant milestone for Rethink Food, allowing it to expand operations and engage the public more directly. The kitchen places culinary experts at the forefront, ensuring every meal adheres to the highest standards of quality and cultural relevance.

“We’re constantly trying to reach, educate, and engage new supporters in our unique approach to serving our local community,” Matt Jozwiak said in a press release.

Feeding New Yorkers in Need

Inside the community kitchen, a flurry of activity unfolds as chefs meticulously transform rescued ingredients into nutrient-rich meals destined for New Yorkers in need. Under Jozwiak’s leadership, Rethink Food has become a driving force in the city’s fight against food waste and hunger, repurposing over 2.4 million pounds[4]  of excess food into more than 24 million nouri[5] shing dishes since its inception in 2017.

“This new two-area space reflects our culture of centering community leaders, culinary professionals, and hospitality at the heart of our approach to creating a more sustainable and equitable food system,” Jozwiak shared.

The Rethink Food CEO’s passion for this cause is palpable, fueled by a commitment to creating a more equitable and sustainable food system.

Veteran chef Ken Baker oversees the culinary operations, leading a dedicated team that transforms rescued ingredients into delectable dishes.

“The community kitchen is[6]  the heart of our work,” shared Daniel Humm, Rethink Food’s co-founder and the acclaimed chef behind the three-Michelin-starred Eleven Madison Park.

The meals prepared in the new kitchen are distributed free of charge across all five boroughs. This remarkable feat is achieved through Rethink Food’s innovative zero-waste model, which seamlessly integrates excess food from various sources into its culinary operations.

Matt Jozwiak: ‘We’ve Seen the Power of Community’

Beyond its practical function, the community kitchen serves as a hub for education and engagement, all designed to raise awareness about sustainable food practices and the impact of food in America.

Jozwiak’s vision extends far beyond the confines of the kitchen walls. On March 27, Rethink Food celebrated its inaugural Rethink Food Day, a proclamation bestowed by New York City Mayor Eric Adams and NYC Council Speaker Adrienne E. Adams. Kate MacKenzie, executive director of the Mayor’s Office of Food Policy, presented the honor, highlighting the city’s commitment to supporting Rethink Food’s trailblazing efforts.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new community kitchen marked another significant milestone, attended by the Manhattan borough president and representatives from the Mayor’s Office of Food Policy. This event not only celebrated Rethink Food’s achievements but also highlighted the growing collaboration between the nonprofit sector and local government in addressing complex societal challenges.

As Jozwiak and his team continue to expand their reach, they remain invested in their belief that food has the power to bring communities together, nourish bodies and minds, and inspire positive change. With each meal prepared in the community kitchen, they send a powerful message: that sustainability and social responsibility can coexist, one delectable dish at a time.

“Over the last three years, Rethink Food has harnessed the generosity of individuals, corporations, and foundations — using philanthropic funding to support small businesses in feeding people and improving food quality,” Matt Jozwiak said in Rethink Food’s 2023 impact report.

“It’s been rewarding to see the impact of our model on newly arrived New Yorkers and how our partners have responded with such expedience, dedication, innovation, and pride. Much work still needs to be done, but we are excited and ready to meet the challenge. Partnership is at the core of achieving our mission, and again this year, we’ve seen the power of community that makes New York City so unique.”