BREWSTER- No person shall go hungry!
That’s the motto of Second Chance Foods, a non-for-profit that rescues food,
which otherwise would be discarded before creating nourishing meals.
Second Chance Foods Executive Director Martha Elder welcomed guests Thursday evening to her organization’s new headquarters located on Marvin Avenue in Brewster for a ribbon cutting where volunteers and staff were chopping, dicing, slicing and whipping up recipes that included beef, veggies, homemade pasta sauce and dessert.
Elder said Second Chance Foods was a rescue organization which “elevates the quality of food available for food insecure individuals. We can’t let hungry people wait for food. We are often asked where our food goes. The answer is everywhere since we work closely with multiple food pantries, community groups and even have created our own weekly box program to distribute the food we collect, harvest and cook for those in need throughout the region.”
Food is received from a variety of organizations that want to help break the cycle of food waste. Elder explained: “Volunteers pick up the food and connect it to people as well as hunger relief partners throughout the week but the first step to feeding people is getting the food.”
Second Chance Food’s bounty comes from a variety of sources including Trader Joe’s, Ace Endico, local grocery stores and farms.
“Many of the fresh products donated may be near their expiration date and the store’s management donates the products to us instead of throwing the food in the trash. Other times, double orders received by stores are donated to Second Chance,” she said.
Some 7,000 pounds of food is picked up and delivered to the Second Chance Foods kitchen on an average week where volunteers unpack and sort items based on freshness, quantities and potential use.
Last year 300 people volunteered with Second Chance Foods providing more than 11,000 hours of service.
In 2023, Second Chance Foods donated 300,000 pounds of groceries and 92,000 meals which Elder described as a “lot of food” to a variety of organizations including: Putnam CAP, Brewster Community Food Pantry, Patterson Food Pantry, St. John’s Food Pantry in Mahopac, Gilead Food Pantry in Carmel, Philipstown Food Pantry in Cold Spring, Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Carmel and a variety of other organizations in northern Westchester, southern Dutchess and western Connecticut.
Volunteer Marie Retusis, a former pastry chef, was cutting string beans for a vegetable dish: “Food is very visual. You see it before you eat it so it must be attractive. I decided to join the group. My decision was the right one since the camaraderie of the volunteers is amazing while our cause is exceptional—rescuing food.”
Another volunteer is Michele Piazza, former Director of Volunteer Services at Putnam Hospital Center.
Piazza said she was “looking for something to do. I paid Second Chance Foods a visit and became hooked. The organization is truly amazing and wonderful.”
Maud Teenuwel also volunteers: “I love to help people and decided to sign up. Besides, I am learning my new English language from my friends since I come from the Netherlands.”
Louise Palma has always volunteered her time: “When I see the smiling faces on those who we help and receive lovely notes, I could cry. People may talk about affluent Putnam County but people are hurting today.”
Peter Elder admitted “loving the work we do. As a family we not only prepare the meals but deliver them as well when called upon. We are privileged to be associated with such a fine and worthwhile organization.”
Martha Elder reminded the community. “If you or someone you know is in need of hunger relief contact us as Info@SecondChanceFoods.org.
