How mixed-use development Manhattan West is creating a sustainable food system

A mixed-use development in Midtown this month announced a new initiative that aims to create a campus-wide sustainable food system. Manhattan West will become the first-ever “Rethink Certified Campus,” requiring every food establishment at the development to donate their excess food and prepare free meals for New York City families facing food insecurities, developer Brookfield Properties and nonprofit Rethink Food announced. Funded with a $250,000 donation by Brookfield, the project is expected to collect five tons of excess food and provide 50,000 meals to families in need.

Image courtesy of Clay Williams

“Manhattan West is the perfect place to launch the first-ever Rethink Certified Campus given the neighborhood’s incredible culinary community and Brookfield’s steadfast commitment to instilling sustainability in every facet of our business,” Callie Haines, Executive Vice President and Head of New York for the Office Business of Brookfield Properties, said.

“Hand-in-hand with Rethink Food and our world-class restaurant and food market partners, we aim to create a sustainable food system at Manhattan West and address food insecurity through raising funds and transforming unutilized food into nutritious, culturally celebrated meals distributed via community-based organizations to families across the city.”

Participating businesses will contribute to the initiative in one or more of three ways:

• Donating excess food to Rethink Food to be made into free, prepared meals for families.
• Preparing meals to donate, with additional resources provided by Rethink Food.
• Working with Rethink Food to advocate and fundraise for local communities.

“The Rethink Certified Campus at Manhattan West is a major milestone in our effort to bridge the gap between the 108 billion pounds of food that go uneaten in the U.S. every year and the 38 million Americans who lack reliable access to food, “Matt Jozwiak, founder and CEO of Rethink Food. “Leveraging Rethink Food’s model, this unique campus embodies how we can collectively transform excess food into nutritious meals – and connect these meals with areas of food insecurity.”

“We’re incredibly proud to partner with Brookfield Properties and its network of like-minded restaurants and market partners at Manhattan West to redefine how together we can not only impact the lives of the community we serve but also the environment around us.”

Establishments involved in the initiative include:

• Ci Siamo
• Daily Provisions
• Zou Zou’s
• Chez Zou
• Casa Dani
• Katsuya
• Citizens New York Culinary Market
• S Bar
• Hidden Leaf at Midnight Theater
• Bluestone Lane
• Black Fox Coffee
• Whole Foods Market

After more than 30 years of planning, Manhattan West finally opened in September 2021 with four office buildings, a residential building, a luxury hotel, and a 2.5-acre public plaza. The complex serves as a link between the west side of Manhattan, the new Moynihan Train Hall, Hudson Yards, and the High Line.

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