Rethink Food Unveils the Rethink Supper Club: A Culinary Initiative to Combat Hunger in NYC

"A New Dining Experience That Combines Culinary Excellence with a Mission to End Food Insecurity in New York City"

Matt Jozwiak Introduces an Innovative Dining Experience to Raise Awareness for Food Insecurity


In the heart of New York City’s Greenwich Village, Rethink Food has been making waves since launching its Sustainable Community Kitchen in March. This vibrant space, dedicated to community engagement and combating food insecurity, has now become the home of a groundbreaking initiative: the Rethink Supper Club. This monthly dinner series, spearheaded by Rethink Food CEO Matt Jozwiak, brings together some of the city’s most innovative chefs and restaurants to create unforgettable culinary experiences while supporting a critical cause.

A Novel Approach to Addressing Food Insecurity

Rethink Food’s mission has always been to repurpose excess food and provide nutritious meals to those in need. Since its inception in 2017, the nonprofit has repurposed over 2.5 million pounds of excess food and delivered more than 1.9 million meals to community-based organizations across New York City. With the introduction of the Rethink Supper Club, Jozwiak and his team are taking their mission a step further by directly involving the community in their efforts.

The Rethink Supper Club is more than just a dining event; it’s an opportunity for supporters to engage with Rethink Food’s mission in a meaningful way. “We’re constantly trying to reach, educate, and engage new supporters in our unique approach to serving our local community,” said Jozwiak in a recent press release.

A Taste of What’s to Come

The debut of the Rethink Supper Club will feature the culinary talents of Chef Calvin Hwang from Figure Eight, a restaurant renowned for its unique fusion of southern American ingredients and Chinese-American culinary traditions. On August 22, diners will be treated to a feast that Time Out described as “casually polished and as assured as if it had been there for years.”

The event will take place at Rethink Food’s Sustainable Community Kitchen, a space that not only serves as a hub for meal preparation but also reflects the organization’s commitment to centering community leaders and culinary professionals at the heart of its mission. All proceeds from the dinner will benefit Rethink Food, furthering its efforts to create a more sustainable and equitable food system.

Empowering Local Talent and Raising Awareness

In keeping with Rethink Food’s mission to amplify local talent, the event’s promotion includes a nature-inspired poster designed by Brooklyn-based artist Enne Goldstein. This collaboration is just one example of how Rethink Food is building bridges between the culinary arts and social responsibility.

Chef Calvin Hwang, who has honed his skills at esteemed establishments like Osteria Morini and Michelin-starred Saga, brings his expertise and passion for community-driven initiatives to the Rethink Supper Club. His involvement underscores the growing movement among chefs and restaurateurs to use their platforms to make a positive impact on society.

A Commitment to Community and Innovation

Rethink Food’s inaugural Supper Club coincides with NYC’s Restaurant Week, a time when the city’s culinary scene shines brightest. By aligning the launch with this beloved event, Rethink Food is tapping into the city’s rich food culture to raise awareness about food insecurity and the importance of sustainable practices.

Matt Jozwiak’s vision for Rethink Food has always been about more than just providing meals; it’s about creating lasting change. “Our restaurant partners create thousands of meals every week for the communities that we serve,” Jozwiak shared on LinkedIn. “Through our family meal program, we connect restaurant fundraisers with the small businesses that Rethink Food supports.”

Join the Movement

Tickets for the upcoming Rethink Supper Club are available for $150 each, with all proceeds going towards Rethink Food’s mission. The event will be held at 7 p.m. on August 22 at the Rethink Food Sustainable Community Kitchen, located at 116 West Houston Street.

For those looking to get involved in other ways, Rethink Food is also hosting a ticket giveaway on Instagram. By liking their post and tagging a friend, participants can enter for a chance to win two free tickets to the dinner. The giveaway runs until August 16, with the winner announced on August 18 at noon.

The Rethink Supper Club is more than just a dinner series; it’s a call to action for all New Yorkers to come together and rethink how they can contribute to a more equitable food system. Through innovative programming and a commitment to community, Matt Jozwiak and Rethink Food are leading the charge in the fight against hunger.