Happy 20th birthday, D.C. Central Kitchen! As we hear in this NPR report, the food rescue group got its start recovering lobster bisque from inaugural balls of George H.W. Bush. That was Jan. 20, 1989.
These days, the group trains disadvantaged residents of our nation’s capital to be chefs and hopes these culinary students will cook for our next president, Barack Obama.The group recently prepared for that possibility by helping the Ritz-Carlton pastry chef prepare Michelle Obama’s favorite shortbread cookie recipe.
While D.C. Central Kitchen founder Robert Egger says there are fewer leftovers from catered events these days than there were in the Wall Street 80′s, I’m guessing there will be plenty of remains from inaugural balls. After all, there’s plenty to celebrate. And this time around, there’s a well-oiled mechanism for recovering this nourishing food.
Yet, on a daily basis we recover only a “thimble full” of the food available, Egger told me in a recent phone interview.
Here’s to a new administration, a new era, a better use of our resources and, today, staying warm in the cold!
4 Comments
That’s funny you mention staying warm, because my post on my blog today is going to be about me being tired of being cold. Bring on spring! lol
I’m certainly glad I’m not outside at the inauguration today.
Jon,
I just got back from a meeting with the incoming Wegman’s Produce Manager at our local Wegman’s Market. This meeting has been a long time coming, and after telling him that our food recovery policy is “We accept all donations,” he told me that we would start to see an increase both in the quantity and variety of produce we will be taking in, as well as an increase in the amount of other food we recover as well. He’s going to start his tenure as produce manager by explaining the difference between “marketable” and “edible” to all of his produce cullers and organizers. Thanks to you for your produce project blog series; it’s been helpful in making me articulate enough to communicate with business minded food distributors and retailers.
Peace and Love,
Dan
That’s great news, Dan! I’m so happy to hear of that accomplishment. Keep up the great work.
Kristen, am now drinking hot tea!
My thermostat is set at 60, and I’m wearing a hat and fingerless gloves. I know I look insane, but I’d rather do this than work full-time. (Besides, I’m alone, so who cares?!) These choices mean I’m able to snuggle under a Goodwill blanket with my kids and watch the inauguration.
Now . . . what’s for dinner?
Katy Wolk-Stanley
The Non-Consumer Advocate
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”