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| Submitted by
Jane Tally on 10/18/2000 |
| We have found that a
restaurant going out of business is a great way to get pots,
pans, dishes, shelving, etc. They may even have some
refrigerators or freezers. Depending on whether the restaurant
is going out of business voluntarily or not, they may have a ton
of good food you may not get other places like spices, oils,
chocolate, etc. A chef’s basement may have mandolines, mixers,
food processors and other small appliances and gadgets. A way to
encourage local chefs to start cleaning out their basements is
through your Chef Association. Computers are available from
local business that may be upgrading their systems. We get
office supplies annually from a pharmaceutical company that does
an fall clean up and there is a ton of stuff available for
non-profits. We just got hanging file folders, notebooks (by the
gazillions), hole punch, staplers, dividers, paper clips, pens,
picture frames, even fillers for Franklin Planners! We get lots
of produce from a couple of local companies, meat and fish from
others. It's really amazing what's out there!! A word of
caution, don't take large kitchen equipment unless it is
thoroughly inspected, because it could end up being a
maintenance nightmare. |
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| Submitted by
Jane Tally on
10/22/2001 |
| We get some really unique
gourmet supplies through donations from Williams and Sonoma,
Dean and DeLuca, cheese shops, specialty shops, etc. It is
amazing what they have and it gives a special edge to the
quality of food we can produce. Grocery stores have items like
lunch meat, bacon, sausage and other deli foods. We get tons of
produce from local produce companies and there are three local
gardens that supply fresh produce throughout the growing season.
Lately we have gotten a LOT of deer meat and you can't imagine
how many ways we've come up with to use venison. A local fish
wholesaler has provided tuna, salmon, halibut, sole, marlin,
just to name a few of the varieties. We get lots of spices
donated from a local spice distributor and from a national
brand. It's out there, just let them know what great work you
are doing! |
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