City Harvest, one of the largest food rescue organizations in New York, is partnering up with some beloved Brooklyn restaurants to host the inaugural “Brooklyn Bites” tasting and fundraising event on May 7.
More than ten local brands — including Junior’s Restaurant & Bakery, Hometown Bar-B-Que, and Bar Vizano — will serve up their dishes and drinks at the organization’s new headquarters and event space in Sunset Park.
Organizers said Brooklyn Bites will bring together some of the top names in Brooklyn’s food scene to support City Harvest‘s work to rescue and deliver free, nutritious food to millions of New Yorkers dealing with food insecurity.
Jilly Stephens, CEO of City Harvest, said the event comes at a critical time, as the need for food support services is ever-growing.
“City Harvest calls Sunset Park, Brooklyn home and we are delighted to feature some of the borough’s incredible restaurants while raising money in support of our work providing nutritious food for free to New Yorkers in need,” Stephens said.
According to Gregory Boroff, chief external relations officer of City Harvest, the food festival will be a first step in discovering City Harvest and participating brands can all work together to expand the brand’s initiative.
“There’s great need around us and we’re glad that we’re here to help so many people,” Boroff told Brooklyn Paper. “It’s about social justice [and] making sure that we’re in a position to help feed as many people as we possibly can.”
City Harvest provides nutritious meals featuring fruits and veggies to families throughout the city, using food that would have otherwise gone to waste. According to research by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, roughly 40% of food in the U.S. is wasted. That’s unless organizations like City Harvest step in to bridge the gaps between those in need and the resources they’re looking for.
Attendees will also get a peek at The Venue at City Harvest for the first time ever as they dine on some of the best in Brooklyn. The modern event space welcomes businesses to host both corporate and social events, and all revenue made from events held at the space will go toward City Harvest’s humanitarian efforts.
