Ensure no New Yorkers go hungry by rescuing perfectly good, nutritious food that would otherwise go to waste and deliver it for free to New Yorkers experiencing hunger.
Why is it important?
City Harvest imagines New York City not just as a metropolis of hustle and bustle, but as a place where surplus food is reimagined as nourishment and connection. Since its founding in 1982, City Harvest has pioneered the food rescue movement in NYC, collecting perfectly good, nutritious food that would otherwise go to waste and delivering it free of charge to those experiencing hunger. Today, in a city where 1 in 4 children are food insecure, the organization rescues food from nearly 2,000 donors across the five boroughs including restaurants, grocery stores, farms, and manufacturers, and channels it into a network of over 400 community partners such as soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters, and mobile markets across all five boroughs. City Harvest’s impact is mighty. To date, it has rescued and delivered more than one billion pounds of food.
In a given year, it aims to rescue over 100 million pounds of nutritious food, with fresh produce making up over 70 percent of that total since access to fruits and vegetables is especially constrained in many underserved neighborhoods. Beyond delivery, City Harvest strengthens resilience through programs in nutrition education, culinary workshops, and capacity building for partner agencies. In a city where millions struggle to afford rent, utilities, and food, City Harvest flushes life and dignity back into communities, reducing waste and ensuring people in need aren’t turning to unhealthy options. The organization also serves as a powerful model for local collaboration, leveraging volunteers, chefs, donors, and advocates to transform excess into sustenance.
