171: Food Rescue: How & Why its Necessary
Event Professionals from across the country have told me on many occasions — and I've personally experienced it — that event venues refuse to donate leftover, untouched food due to concerns about food safety.
One planner even shared that a hotel told his organization, "Don't make us do this," even though the catering contract stated that all remaining, untouched food would be donated.
Aubrey Alvarez, Executive Director of @eatgreaterdesmoines has experienced this herself, but that does not stop her. She continues to connect nonprofit organizations, businesses, and community leaders to work to strengthen the food system in Des Moines and make sure no food goes to waste.
Winner of "Iowan of the Week" in 2021 for her team's efforts in distributing almost 90,000 food boxes via one of the organization’s most significant projects, "Operation Fresh Produce Drop," Aubrey is committed to ensuring the people of Des Moines don’t go hungry and that they have access to fresh and healthy foods
Listen as Tracy chats with Aubrey about how people (e.g. #MeetingProfs) can get involved locally to help feed their community, what food can and cannot be donated, as well as innovative ways she is seeing food access improved in her community.
While there are many individual properties that donate regularly, there are still thousands that do not. It’s time for the Meetings And Events industry changes its policies to ensure we are rescuing and donating food that would otherwise be thrown away. Aubrey told me, "we have enough food for everyone. The amount of food thrown away could feed all food insecure folks multiple times."
Event Professionals from across the country have told me on many occasions — and I've personally experienced it — that event venues refuse to donate leftover, untouched food due to concerns about food safety.
One planner even shared that a hotel told his organization, "Don't make us do this," in spite of the fact that the catering contract stated all remaining, untouched food would be donated.
Aubrey Alvarez, Executive Director of @eatgreaterdesmoines has experienced this herself, but that does not stop her. She continues to connect nonprofit organizations, businesses, and community leaders to work to strengthen the food system in Des Moines and make sure no food goes to waste.
Winner of "Iowan of the Week" in 2021 for her team's efforts in distributing almost 90,000 food boxes via one of the organization’s most significant projects, "Operation Fresh Produce Drop," Aubrey is committed to ensuring the people of Des Moines don’t go hungry and that they have access to fresh and healthy foods
Listen as Tracy chats with Aubrey about how people (e.g. #MeetingProfs) can get involved locally to help feed their community, what food can and cannot be donated, as well as innovative ways she is seeing food access improved in her community.
While there are many individual properties that donate regularly, there are still thousands that do not. It’s time for the Meetings And Events industry changes its policies to ensure we are rescuing and donating food that would otherwise be thrown away. Aubrey told me, "we have enough food for everyone. The amount of food thrown away could feed all food insecure folks multiple times."
Link in bio to watch it live.Connect with Tracy: facebook.com/groups/EatingataMeeting thrivemeetings.com
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Aubrey Alvarez
CEO & Founder | Passionate Advocate | Experienced Leader | Change-maker | Food System Innovator
Aubrey Alvarez is a native Iowan who has spent her career collaborating with others to build something better. Whether it was building fitness programs, corporate sales incentives, or rebuilding our food system, she's been putting her curiosity, creativity, and persistence to good use.
After taking a local food coordinator job in 2013, she founded Eat Greater Des Moines, a central Iowa nonprofit focused on rebuilding the food system into something that works for everyone.
By challenging the status quo and leading with her values of justice, kindness, and collaboration, she has shown what is possible when we work with our friends and neighbors to build a food system that works for everyone.
