An estimated 13% of food produced is lost between harvest and retail and 19% is wasted between retail and consumption. At the same time, around 733 million people are undernourished and over 2.8 billion cannot afford a healthy diet. While there is enough food for everyone, not everyone has access to the food they need, and when food is lost or wasted so are the resources that were used.
Reducing food loss and waste can contribute to improved food security and nutrition and sustainability. Recognizing this, the General Assembly designated 29 September the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, in an effort led by the Permanent Missions of Andorra and San Marino to the UN.
The UN community plays an important role in the global effort to address food loss and waste and end hunger and malnutrition. In New York, FAO and UNEP are proposing to mark this year’s observance in a different way – engaging the UN community in an impactful hands-on volunteer opportunity, preparing and serving healthy, nourishing meals to people in vulnerable situations at Refettorio Harlem.
Refettorio Harlem is a vibrant community hub, one of fourteen such spaces across the globe opened by UNEP Goodwill Ambassador Massimo Bottura, Chef and Food Systems Activist. Twice a week, the Refettorio Harlem transforms surplus food that would otherwise go to waste into nourishing meals to serve food-insecure and socially isolated community members, for free. The hall can seat 100 guests.
Tour & Volunteer Activity: Participants are invited visit the Refettorio Harlem to learn about the initiative and then have the option to volunteer preparing and serving nourishing meals to community members. Join either or both activities. This collaboration aligns with global efforts to minimize food waste and directly contributes to building community and strengthening local partnerships to address food loss and waste, hunger, malnutrition, supporting sustainable food practices along the way.
- Location: Refettorio Harlem at 37 W 119th St, New York, NY 10026
- Date: Friday, October 4, 2024
- Times:
- Tour: 3:00 – 4:00 pm
- Volunteering: 4:00 – 7:00 pm (including meal preparation, meal service, and clean-up)
- Volunteers are welcome to stay for a “family dinner” and clean-up from 7:30-8:30pm
First come, first served, given the limited volunteer slots. RSVP here (LINK).
Practical tips: Come prepared to learn and serve! This is not an event and there will be no speaking slots. Comfortable shoes and practical clothes are encouraged.
What to expect from the volunteer opportunity?
You will form part of a team that will either be in the kitchen plating food to restaurant standards, or out on the Refettorio dining floor, serving food and drink, cleaning tables and interacting with members of the local community. In both cases, expect a lot of work (over 100 people are served per night), community and a dignified setting for people in vulnerable situations.