Food Link’s vision is a food system without waste, in which everyone has enough. One way in which we work toward this vision is by ensuring that our local communities have access to meals and fresh foods.

Ivan Basch, Clerk of Food Link’s Board of Directors, took the time recently to discuss with us two partnerships that provide community meals in Lexington and Arlington. While both of these organizations have paused group meals due to the pandemic, we look forward to continuing to supply them with rescued ingredients when they reopen.

Lex Eat Together prepares free weekly community dinners in Lexington. Run by a group of dedicated volunteers, these meals are cooked by professional chefs and aim to provide not just nutrition but also community in a setting that respects privacy and dignity. In his time with Lex Eat Together, Ivan introduced the idea of using rescued foods in partnership with Food Link. This both reduces food waste and showcases creative ways in which rescued ingredients can be used to make high-quality meals.

Although community dinners are not currently happening, Lex Eat Together has maintained its partnership with Food Link. In September 2020, Food Link launched a program with Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical High School. The culinary students receive donated food from Food Link and create meals to serve the food insecure and those in need. Lex Eat Together graciously provided support via a grant to fund the program. Additionally, the team at Lex Eat Together transported meals to Lexington Food Pantry.

Neighbors Eating All Together (NEAT) is an organization that serves meals once per month in Arlington. NEAT partners with Minuteman High School and Something Savory Catering to cook the meals for the monthly guests. Food Link donates rescued breads, desserts, and produce. Rather than giving attendees pre-packaged bags of donated items, NEAT features a nicely laid-out table of food items from which guests can choose whatever best fits their needs.

During the pandemic, NEAT continues to provide meals to neighbors in the form of frozen soups made of rescued ingredients, in partnership with Something Savory Catering. Food Link distributes the soups to communities in need. NEAT aims to provide catered food on a regular basis and hopes to return to in-person meals when safe to do so.

The partnerships highlighted throughout this piece are just two of the many groups that Food Link works with to alleviate hunger and reduce food waste. Learn more about our program by visiting our website, following us on Instagram and Facebook, and signing up for our newsletter.

Thank you to Ivan for your time and dedication to food insecurity and food rescue.

Partnerships that Give Back to the Community