Overland Park Convention Center recently announced its partnership with Pete’s Garden, a local food recovery organization that aims to tackle the issue of large-scale event food waste and hunger in the greater Kansas City area.
FEATURE PHOTO: Overland Park Convention Center leaders from Left to Right: Barb Silin, CMP, CTA – Sales Manager; Scott Riesterer, CMP – Director of Finance; and Ashley Flagler, CMP, SEPC – Director of Events. Image courtesy of Overland Park Convention Center.
The partnership allows the convention center to donate surplus prepared foods to families in need through social service organizations such as Operation Breakthrough, Boys & Girls Club and Jewish Family Services, among others.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, food waste makes up between 30% and 40% of the entire food supply, making it a significant challenge in the hospitality industry.
In 2022, Pete’s Garden recovered almost 70,000 pounds of prepared proteins and side dishes and distributed over 75,000 meals to local families. By partnering with the Overland Park Convention Center, the food rescue organization can make an even greater impact.
"Pete’s Garden makes it easier for families to share healthy meals together at home," said Tamara Weber, founder and executive director of Pete’s Garden. "To ensure food safety and provide fresh and healthy meals to families, Pete’s Garden is very selective about what food can be donated. The Overland Park Convention Center has demonstrated exemplary adherence to these food safety standards."
Pete’s Garden only accepts food that has been prepared in a health department-inspected kitchen and handled and stored in accordance with safe time-temperature standards. The meals are then packaged by volunteers in a commercial kitchen facility overseen by food safety-certified staff, and labeled with a use-by date.
"Minimizing food waste is a significant challenge in the hospitality industry, especially in larger venues like ours. To tackle this issue, we have implemented a two-pronged approach: first, by donating prepared food to those in need and second, through food composting as a part of our current sustainability program. We are always seeking ways to be more sustainable while also being a people-focused organization—what better way to meet this goal than by serving those in our local community," said Jessica Corona, Director of Food and Beverage at the Overland Park Convention Center.
To learn more about the Overland Park Convention Center’s partnership with Pete’s Garden and other sustainability initiatives, visit opconventioncenter.com/sustainability. For those who want to donate, volunteer or learn more about Pete’s Garden, visit petesgarden.org.
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FEATURE PHOTO: Overland Park Convention Center leaders from Left to Right: Barb Silin, CMP, CTA – Sales Manager; Scott Riesterer, CMP – Director of Finance; and Ashley Flagler, CMP, SEPC – Director of Events. IMAGE COURTESY OF OVERLAND PARK CONVENTION CENTER