What Happens with Donations at CookUnity?

At CookUnity, we’re committed to minimizing food waste while giving back to communities. That’s why, since 2021, we’ve partnered with Rethink Food — a nonprofit working to create a more sustainable and equitable food system.
 

📦 Where Do the Leftovers Go?

Food waste is non-negotiable at CookUnity

At CookUnity, our production model is designed to minimize food waste from the start. Through our weekly meal subscription, chefs should only cook what has already been sold, helping us prevent food waste before it happens.

When we can’t guarantee zero food waste, we are committed to ensuring that edible food never ends up in the trash. With millions of people facing food insecurity, wasting good food is not an option.

Our priority is to reduce food waste at every step of the process. When reduction isn’t possible, we focus on diverting food from landfills through donations.

Any surplus ingredients from CookUnity’s operations across the U.S. are donated through Rethink Food, our national food excess partner, to local communities.

Instead of going to waste, this delicious food is turned into nutritious meals for people facing food insecurity.

🧾 Since 2021, we’ve donated over 294,000 lbs of excess food (as of the end of 2024).

These ingredients are used by Rethink Food’s network — including their Sustainable Community Kitchen in New York City and local partners across the country — to prepare thousands of nourishing meals for communities in need.

🚚 How and Where Do These Meals Reach People?

• In New York, Rethink does daily pick-ups from our Brooklyn kitchen and brings those donations to their Commissary Kitchen, where meals are organized and distributed based on community needs.
• In other markets, Rethink collaborates with local partners — including churches, women’s shelters, and communities impacted by emergencies like fires — who receive donations of ingredients, prep ingredients, and ready-to-eat meals.
• Donations partners in each marketplace:
  • NY: Rethink and City Harvest 
  • LA: LA Food Bank + G.E.M + Womans Shelter + Ekklesia Church
  • Chicago: The Kindness campaign
  • Seattle: Power of Two
  • Atlanta: EYE BELIEVE FOUNDATION
  • Austin: Keep Austin feed
  • Miami: Food rescue  South Florida

🔗 Explore Rethink’s programs and partners
 

💛 Why Does This Matter?

By donating ingredients and meals, we’re reaching those who need it most — doing what we do best: creating nourishing food that fills bellies, lifts spirits, and warms hearts.

None of this would be possible without collaboration and the power of working together with our chefs.

🙌 Want to Get Involved?

You can:

• Onboard into CookUnity’s Give Back Day
  If you’re looking to get involved and make a direct impact, we host a Give Back Day every quarter. It’s important for everyone to join and be part of these initiatives. We’d love to see you there! 
• Learn more about Rethink Food and City Harvest in NY 
• Sign up to volunteer
• Visit their events page to see how they’re making an impact
   

Still have questions? We’ve got your back—reach out to us anytime at [e-mail].