Women’s Lunch Place is proud to be an Environmental Partner of 1% for the Planet.

1% for the Planet is a global organization that exists to ensure our planet and future generations thrive. Since 2002, they have helped to direct hundreds of millions of dollars to environmentally conscious nonprofits around the world. Their network of individuals, businesses, and nonprofit partners drives environmental impact through collective action.

Sustainability at women’s lunch place:

WLP seeks to improve the food systems that revolve around our homeless shelter's Healthy Meals program. With grant funding, we will continue to strengthen and add to our three-part framework for sustainably addressing food insecurity.

Procurement and Preparation:

We currently source fish, produce, and dairy from local providers, and are continuing to seek new partnerships to eliminate any reliance on national food conglomerates. We have flexible menu planning to take advantage of available healthy items from Boston Food Bank. We have built strong relationships with local food recovery groups. We receive produce donations from local farms and gardens. We have an on-site herb garden and a plot at the Dudley Greenhouse. Vegetarian alternatives, fresh fruits and vegetables, healthy grains, and lean proteins are incorporated into each day’s scratch-made menu, and excess produce is utilized for a nutritious daily vegetable soup.

Distribution:

Breakfast and lunch are served restaurant-style and brought to guests seated at tables. Meals are served on real dinnerware with metal flatware, sturdy cups, and ceramic mugs. A third meal is provided in our newly created Takeaway Dinner program. We use recyclable containers for to-go and delivery meals. We deliver hundreds of healthy meals each week to partners across the city and are looking to further expand our reach to decrease food insecurity in our community. Leftover meals and food items are distributed to a nearby food pantry.

Waste / Education:

We recycle as much as possible and want to launch a composting program to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills. We also review eligibility for SNAP, About Fresh, Project Bread, and other vital resources to ensure optimal benefits and permanent solutions for our guests. Through individual counseling, community field trips, and group workshops, we teach guests how to shop to maximize their benefits and prepare vitamin-rich ingredients.