OUR PROGRAMS
Refettorio Harlem is a place in which givers and receivers find fulfillment, around the table, nourished by meals that make a meaningful impact on the health of our food system and move us towards a more connected and compassionate community. There are a number of ways to connect with our community based programming including volunteer opportunities, corporate and individual giving, program sponsorship and events.
Learn more about our programs below.
OUR FOOD MODEL
We believe food is a human right. Food should be affordable, accessible and healthy. They way we produce food should return more than it takes from nature. We know the planet and our food system is suffering. We are doing our part to prevent food waste, divert food from landfill, source and purchase ethically. We take time to learn and share the diverse cultural traditions of our global food landscape. We promote our local and regional food stewards, farmers, fisheries and ranches. Our menu looks consciously at what we serve to reduce its carbon footprint and do our part to mitigate climate impact. We welcome you to sit at our table as we savor good food for all.
Refettorio Fresh Food Pantry
Each week, TUESDAY, we host a choice pantry with fresh vegetables, fruits and curated ingredients from our network of supporters. Each guest receives at least 14 pounds of produce plus additional staples such as bread, grains, eggs.
We believe in a dignified model in which guests select which items they will enjoy. Each week we provide food education information, health and cooking tips.
Food Recovery
Hospitality Services
Weekly Schedule
We currently serve the following schedule for Refettorio Fresh, Hospitality Meals at the table and our Prepared Meals for Take Away.
TUESDAY: FRESH PANTRY 12:00 - 2:00 pm
WEDNESDAY: HOSPITALITY DINNER SERVICE 5:15 - 7:00 pm (last seating 6:45pm)
FRIDAY: HOSPITALITY DINNER SEVICE 5:15 - 7:00 pm (last seating 6:45pm)
Our Social Kitchen fills our pantry and kitchen stock with food surplus, giving it a second life towards human nutrition. Our pick up is split between the week and dependent on our food recovery partners. We will expand the scope of our recovery efforts to include zero waste streams, composting and anaerobic digesting. These actions will pave the way to expand programming into vital social enterprise opportunities that can generate revenue and demonstrate the economic value of food and our food system.
On Wednesday, Friday evenings our social kitchen prepares an evening meal for guests for free. We seat 100 guests at communal tables in the main community hall. We offer a multi-course meal, appetizer, entree and dessert, served with NA beverages. We offer a social experience with full service at the table, to give guests an opportunity to relax, enjoy the company of others and a delicious meal.
Guests sign up for services in advance of our service or come to us via community referral, including supportive social services.
For more information on signing up, CLICK below.
The Refettorio model began by invitation of chefs to give their creativity, expertise and time to cook with us in our social kitchen. chef Massimo Bottura inspired his global family of chef friends to cook in 2015 at the launch of the first project, Refettorio Ambrosiano, in Milan. To date, thousands of chefs from across the world have given their time to spend an afternoon or evening in Refettorio kitchens, helping to ensure everyone has something to eat.
Free Food events calendar will also host a series of Seasonal Soirees and Guest Chef events, open to the public, to usher in support for our food programs each month.
EDUCATION & TRAINING
EXODUS TRANSITIONAL COMMUNITY
ART OF ADDICTION
There are programs of recovery, this is a program of discovery. It is 180-degrees different from the traditional addiction recovery models. Here, addiction is a path of cultivating the power within that is most often rejected and then re-purposing it into developing consciousness. In other words, growth does not happen in spite of our addictions, but as an outgrowth of the afflictions, obsession, jealousy and fixation. When approached this way, the process of realization becomes one of evolution rather than amputation. The impulse of addiction, decoupled from substance, can be used for creation and restores a fundamental human desire to contribute to society.
In partnership with Unconditional Freedom, our parent 501(c)3, Free Food Harlem hosts weekly classes at the Exodus Transitional Community in Harlem. Participants learn viable life skills that extend into experiential learning including hybrid culinary arts education inside Refettorio Harlem’s Social Kitchen
https://www.etcny.org/
ART OF SOULMAKING
The Art of Soulmaking workbook is now used in over 360 prisons in 31 states across the country. This “monastery in a book” teaches contemplative practices, along with meditation and yoga. The purpose of this book is to guide one toward discovering their unique genius, providing tools to take pain and darkness and convert it in to creativity.
The book can be downloaded for free here.
Our Events
Explore upcoming events benefitting Free Food Harlem, featuring world-class chefs and culinary experiences from Massimo Buttara and other chefs.
