A Message From The Executive Director

Dear Second Helpings Atlanta Community –

Recently we learned of HelloFresh’s difficult decision to close its facility in Newnan. We are deeply saddened by the impact this will have on its employees and their families. Since 2020, HelloFresh has been a valued partner, and we are proud of all that we have achieved together. It all began with rescuing their surplus food, but our collaboration quickly expanded to include their Meals with Meaning Program. Since 2021, we have convened dozens of volunteers at our warehouse each Wednesday to pack 2,000 meal kits that are distributed to our neighbors facing food insecurity. The collective impact of this partnership and the initiatives that stemmed from it generated more than six million meals for the Atlanta community. This is a remarkable achievement, and we are grateful for HelloFresh’s contributions to creating a more food-secure Atlanta.

While we will no longer receive surplus donations from HelloFresh after June, we are pleased to announce that they have pledged to continue providing food for the Meals with Meaning meal kits until the end of the year. This is a testament to their unwavering commitment to serving the Atlanta community, and we are deeply grateful for their ongoing support.

Our core mission to combat food waste and hunger in our community remains unwavering. For 20 years, we have been rescuing fresh surplus food from grocery stores, restaurants, distribution centers, event venues, caterers, and many others, and we will continue to do so. However, the closure of a food donor like HelloFresh does create a void in fresh food access. As we work to find new donors to help fill this void, there are ways you can help. We urge food industry business owners or managers with surplus food to contact us. We offer free pickups of food from your establishment. You can also volunteer to drive a food rescue route or donate. Every contribution, no matter how small, is significant in our mission to create a healthier and more sustainable future for our community.

We appreciate your continued support as we work to bridge the gap caused by HelloFresh’s facility’s closure in Atlanta. Together, we will continue to help those in need and make a difference in the lives of our neighbors facing food insecurity.

With gratitude,

Paul Clements