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Since 2022, the LEAP Processing Kitchen program has grown into a central part of the LEAP Hub. The LEAP Processing Kitchen reduces food waste by purchasing and using high quality produce “seconds” from farmers and turning it into value-added products such as dried apple chips and fresh soups. The Processing Kitchen stretches the seasonality of local produce and creates food that is easier to handle for households with limited time and resources, making it easier for more people to eat a variety of local foods year round. Items made in the LEAP Processing Kitchen can be found at the LEAP Community Store and LEAP Mobile Market.
Excess and “seconds” produce from farmers selling through the LEAP Food Hub are set aside to be processed into other value-added foods.
LEAP’s Chef Jeff and a mighty team of volunteers work through the rescued produce to wash, prep, cook, freeze, and dry fresh food.
Prepared food is then stored to be used in future recipes and/or sold in LEAP Community Store and Mobile Market as a variety of prepared items.
The LEAP Processing Kitchen started, in part, to decrease our food waste. LEAP purchases food from farmers and food hubs to stock our Mobile Market, Farm Share, and Community Store. When there's too much of a farmer's crop or food becomes bruised or less desirable for sale, the LEAP Processing Kitchen steps in.
We keep "seconds" produce out of the compost and transform it into delicious food for people’s tables. Our kitchen staff and volunteers chop, steam, blend, stew, freeze, bake, and/or dehydrate these foods into a variety of new products.
LEAP purchases food at a fair price from farmers. Not all produce is perfect and sometimes there’s just too much to sell, but we believe that good food should be eaten and farmers should be paid for their hard work. By purchasing and using even the undesirable or unsold produce and transforming it into value-added products, the LEAP Processing Kitchen helps to ensure that farmers have somewhere to sell their food and keep it from going to waste.
If you’re a farmer with "seconds" quality produce or bumper crops that would like to sell to LEAP’s Processing Kitchen, learn about our requirements to sell to LEAP.
The value-added products made by LEAP Processing Kitchen make it easier for people to eat local fruits and vegetables on a budget, year round.
Foods provided by LEAP Processing Kitchen:
Look for the “Made in the LEAP Kitchen” label on products sold in the LEAP Community Store and LEAP Mobile Market. If you don’t see products out, ask your market operator if there are any new foods available. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, we have different products available each week! Plus, at the LEAP Community Store, we offer free samples and a soup and salad of the week punch card.
Interns and volunteers are vital to the success of the LEAP processing program. Under the guidance of Chef Jeff, our community of volunteers help sort, process, package, and cook a variety of foods each week. Our Processing Kitchen is looking for new regular volunteers! Submit a volunteer interest form and sign up for a volunteer opportunity to join other Food Waste Warriors.
Food safety manager certification is required in most professional kitchens. LEAP Kitchen Manager, Chef Jeff, offers ServSafe® classes and exams every month. Sign up to expand your skills and increase employability.