GLEAM Network’s Sustainability Series — Interview with Ellen Bowen

In honor of Sustainability Month, GLEAM Network is spotlighting industry leaders that are leading the way when it comes to sustainability in the restaurant and foodservice industry. Today we had the privilege of chatting with Ellen Bowen, South Florida Site Director at Food Rescue US.

Ellen Bowen is the South Florida Site Director for the National nonprofit, Food Rescue US. A former fashion industry senior executive in New York, Ellen relocated to the Miami area in 2016. Always passionate about food trends she started reporting on the restaurant industry on her blog, MIAbites. She heard from the chefs the amount of food wasted, especially at events and conferences, and decided to partner with Food Rescue US to bring organized food recovery to Florida.

Ellen, thank you so much for chatting with us! Can you tell us about Food Rescue and the organization’s mission?

With 40% of all food wasted and 1 in 5 going to bed hungry, food waste makes no sense. Using technology and an app, Food Rescue US rescues unsold/unused food and direct transfers it to area shelters, soup kitchens, senior housing, and to the food insecure. The Bill Emerson Federal Law allows for any food donated in good faith to be free of liability to the donor. Currently, in 35 locations across the United States, Food Rescue US rescues surplus food from hotels, restaurants, grocers, bakeries, markets, stadiums, and convention centers. In 2019–2020 alone, Food Rescue Miami rescued over 650,000 lbs of food and was hand-selected by the NFL to handle all food recovery at Super Bowl LIV.

What are some of the biggest issues restaurants are facing when it comes to sustainability?

Waste is inevitable and while good chefs plan their menus ahead of time, there is always some surplus at the end of the day. Food ending up in landfills is one of the largest contributors to harmful methane gas production. More harmful gas is produced in landfills by decomposing food than there is by auto emissions. Reducing food waste is the #3 solution to reversing climate change. With Covid forcing even the top restaurants to pivot to take out or delivery, the use of plastic or styrofoam containers and single-use plastic flatware added to their difficulty to be sustainable.

Food Rescue works with some big names in the restaurant industry. What chefs/restauranteurs have you experienced making the biggest impact when it comes to sustainability?

We are so proud to work with many Miami area chefs who have donated surplus food and opted for compostable packaging and utilizing surplus for meals. Chef Dayanny Delacruz of Centerplate at Hard Rock Stadium donates after every game and stadium event and was our partner rescuing over 40,000 lbs during Super Bowl lIV.

Sustainability is a hot topic right now. Is it here to stay or is this a trend?

If we are to save our planet for future generations, we must take sustainability seriously by recycling, using green products every day, composting, and repurposing food waste.

At GLEAM, our mission is to provide mentorship and leadership development to underrepresented professionals in the restaurant and foodservice industry. Can you share with us a mentor who has made an impact on your professional career?

Chef Dayanny Delacruz, Executive Chef at Centerplate/Sodexo, has been a mentor and a partner in building food rescue Miami to the recognized leader it is today. As a Latino, a woman, and a chef, she has shown the industry that is a strong woman leader is important to the future in foodservice and has been both a supporter and a teacher.

Thank you, Ellen. This has been very insightful. How can our readers follow you on social media?

It has been a pleasure! You can follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

How can our readers learn more about Food Rescue US?

Visit our website and sign up at www.foodrescue.us as a donor, food rescuer, or receiving agency.

GLEAM Network is a non-profit, volunteer-based network whose purpose is to provide access to mentorship and leadership development to underserved professionals in the restaurant and foodservice industry. To learn more about our organization or to sign up to be a mentor or mentee visit www.gleamnetwork.net