Capacity Building Program
40% of the food we grow here in the US ends up in landfills and far too many of our neighbors are hungry. The Rescue | Transform | Share model solves this problem by utilizing professional chefs in a commissary environment. Our Capacity Building Program shares the key operational aspects of making a food rescue kitchen successful and scalable.
Applications are now being accepted through August 1 for our third cohort beginning in September 2025.
The program, run in partnership with Second Helpings, includes weekly meetings focused on the key levers to implementing and scaling a rescue kitchen, on-site visits to see the model in action, visits to your organization to support your projects, and access to tailored resources such as our operations guide.
We're looking for mission-driven groups ready to scale their impact. Previous participants came from organizations such as:
Kitchens using rescued food looking increase their impact on the community
Established Food Rescue Programs interested in operating a kitchen
Culinary / hospitality programs at community colleges looking to expand culinary offerings to benefit their communities
Program Offerings
In partnership with Second Helpings, this one-year mentorship program helps nonprofits expand their food rescue operations with a focus on:
Structured weekly program covering the key operational levers of the Rescue | Transform | Share Model
Community of support from La Soupe, Second Helpings, and graduates of our first two cohorts
Operations guide and other tailored resources
One on One mentoring with La Soupe and Second Helpings
Program Timeline
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis June 1-August 1
La Soupe and Second Helpings will review and applications and notify organizations by August 15
Launch Network program in September
9-month program meeting weekly finishing in June of 2026
Application Requirements
Organizations committed to reducing food waste and increasing access to nutritious meals, utilizing the skills of professional chefs, are encouraged to apply:
Have a trained chef on staff or be willing to hire one
Have experience with commercial food production and access to a commercial kitchen capable of volume meal production
Board of Health Licensure or similar
ServSafe training or willing to commit resources to training staff
Be a nonprofit organization with the capacity to commit to monthly training program
Demonstrate a commitment to rescuing, transforming and distributing healthy food to individuals experiencing food insecurity
Resources to attend on site training days
Complete application to participate in the program and contribute a participation fee of $5,000
We encourage all interested parties to reach out before submitting an application.
“There is so much nuance in food rescue, so this program is really great at breaking down those intricacies and helping to define them, but with slightly differing perspectives. I think that staff y’all have are wonderful and a main reason that we’ve found value in the program.”
Sam Talarczyk
We Don’t Waste