Chef Massimo Bottura’s Harlem refettorio (a combination food waste-fighting soup kitchen and community center) is set to open this fall at the Emanuel AME Church in New York City, reports Eater. This is one of several refettorio locations across the globe.
This refettorio has already been delivering meals to people experiencing food insecurity in Harlem, in partnership with other nonprofits. One partner is Hot Bread Kitchen, which, through its Chef’s Collective program, has been able to create up to 600 free meals each week.
When the physical space opens, the refettorio will host a job training program run by East Harlem nonprofit Youth Action Youth Build. The program will teach participants cooking skills and how to run all operations for the center.
Because reducing food waste is essential to the operation, surplus food and produce from grocery stores are used as the base of the meals prepared at the refettorio locations.
Part of Chef Bottura and his wife Lara Gilmore’s food nonprofit Food for Soul, refettorios have opened in Brazil, England, Italy, and France. Full Story
Related: Shelf Engine Raises Funds to Expand; Zero Waste Meal Kit Launches.