Turning abundance into nourishing meals.
The Zero Waste Program helps Fisherman’s Mark make the most of fresh food that might otherwise go unused by transforming surplus ingredients into prepared meals for neighbors in our community.
Each week, volunteers work alongside Chef Jose Calderon of HollyHedge Estate to prepare meals using produce from farm partners, abundance from the Free MARKet, and additional ingredients purchased as needed.
How It Works
Zero Waste brings together donated food, thoughtful planning, and volunteer support to turn surplus ingredients into nourishing meals.
Source the Food
Ingredients come from farm partners, abundance at the Free MARKet, and purchased items when additional ingredients are needed.
Prepare the Meals
Each week, a rotating team of volunteers works in the HollyHedge Estate kitchen under the guidance of Chef Jose Calderon.
Package with Care
Prepared meals are portioned and packaged so they can be distributed safely and conveniently to participants.
Share the Meals
Meals are distributed to Mobile MARKet participants, with any additional meals made available through the Free MARKet.
Where the Food Comes From
Zero Waste starts with making the most of the food already moving through Fisherman’s Mark.
Fresh produce comes from farm partners including Carversville Farm Foundation, Hungry Work Organic Farm, America’s Grow-a-Row, and Rolling Harvest Food Rescue. Ingredients may also come from abundance at the Free MARKet.
When additional items are needed to complete a recipe or create a balanced meal, Fisherman’s Mark purchases those ingredients so that the final dishes are both nutritious and complete.
The result is a flexible approach that helps reduce waste while making good use of every available resource.
Prepared with Care
Once a week, a rotating team of volunteers gathers in the HollyHedge Estate kitchen to prepare meals under the guidance of Chef Jose Calderon.
Chef Jose helps determine how available ingredients can best be used, while volunteers wash, chop, prepare, portion, and package the food. The meals change depending on what is available, allowing the program to stay flexible and make thoughtful use of fresh ingredients.
HollyHedge’s kitchen, culinary expertise, and ongoing partnership make this work possible.
It’s a collaborative effort that brings together donated food, culinary skill, and volunteer time to create meals with purpose.
Where the Meals Go
Once meals are prepared and packaged, they are distributed through Fisherman’s Mark’s existing food support programs.
Mobile MARKet participants receive Zero Waste meals as part of their home-delivered food support. When additional meals are available, they are also shared through the Free MARKet.
By connecting Zero Waste directly to other food support programs, prepared meals can reach neighbors in practical, efficient ways.
Why Zero Waste Matters
Good food has value at every stage. Zero Waste helps Fisherman’s Mark extend that value by turning surplus ingredients into meals instead of letting nutritious food go unused.
The program also helps stretch donated resources further, connect farm abundance with community need, and make prepared meals available through other Fisherman’s Mark food support programs.
It’s one more way to reduce waste while increasing access to nourishing food.
Made Possible Through Partnership
Zero Waste works because community partners contribute food, space, expertise, and time.
HollyHedge Estate
HollyHedge Estate provides the professional kitchen where Zero Waste meals are prepared each week. Chef Jose Calderon guides the volunteer team, helping turn available ingredients into thoughtful, nourishing meals.
Their generosity, culinary expertise, and ongoing partnership are central to the program.
With Gratitude to Our Farm and Food Rescue Partners
Fresh produce from these partners provides an important foundation for many Zero Waste meals.
Carversville Farm Foundation
Hungry Work Organic Farm
America’s Grow-a-Row
Rolling Harvest Food Rescue
Part of a Larger Food Support Network
Zero Waste connects directly with other Fisherman’s Mark food support programs. Ingredients may begin at the Farm Stand or Free MARKet, become prepared meals at HollyHedge Estate, and then reach neighbors through Mobile MARKet or the Free MARKet.
It’s one more example of how Fisherman’s Mark uses community partnerships and shared resources to make nourishing food more accessible.
Explore All Food Support Programs →Support Our Food Support Programs
Your support helps Fisherman’s Mark make nutritious food more accessible through programs like Zero Waste, Mobile MARKet, the Free MARKet, FLY, and the Summer Farm MARKet.
Every gift helps strengthen the network of people, partnerships, and resources that keeps food moving throughout our community.
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