Don't Waste Organic Food: Make It ReDelicious Instead

By Jake Ha (3/16/25) — Washington, D.C.

When the green community wants to buy healthy products in urban DC, they turn to the tried and true farmers' market. Every Sunday, crowds of people gather for the overflowing stalls across FRESHFARM’s Dupont Circle Market. Despite being the off-season, the market was filled with piles of organic carrots, dozens of free-range eggs, boxes of vegetables not usually found in DC supermarkets, and so much more. Whether I wanted something organic, vegan, gluten-free, locally-sourced, or all of the above, I was sure to find it.

A single street along Dupont Circle Market.

One hour before the market’s closing time, plenty of people still wandered around. But despite the busy day, it seemed like many stalls had entire tables of produce remaining. Most of the produce had been sold, but there were still trays of vegetables and bread that sat idly on tables, unable to be saved for next week’s market. It seemed like these delicious foods would lose their chance to be on somebody’s plate.

However, these products weren’t destined to contribute to DC’s growing food waste, as gleaning organizations like ReDelicious DC ensure that such valuable food is eaten or repurposed. 

I found their organization from an online thread about the best places to volunteer in DC. When I entered their backyard farm, I was surprised to see many people casually chatting. I stood awkwardly for a moment, but a kind lady quickly guided me to the “logistics queen,” Aileen, who managed the volunteers. Before starting, though, I enjoyed some of the food.

The entrance to ReDelicious’ backyard farm, shared with Edgewood’s Community Farm.

As I sat down, I took in the scenery. Tables were filled with various kinds of rice and bread, varying in tones from light red to dark brown. Another table had piles of leafy greens. Around me, plenty of people talked about the apple cider and kombucha, which, like every other week, had been sold out within a few minutes. Their bags were full of rice, greens, and bread that would be taken home. Most prominently for me, though, was how tasty that rice was!

A quick bite I had when volunteering. I could've taken a lot more if I was hungrier!

I asked one of ReDelicious’ founding members, Aaron Hoffman, about the organization. ReDelicious is a food lab and co-op that builds community experience around food, food waste, food justice, and food sovereignty. This includes food discussion, experimentation, cultivation, mycology, composting, and anything related to food.

ReDelicious started as a group of friends trying to find uses for food that businesses were about to toss, and then it found a whole community with the same goal. By working with various organizations, restaurants, and markets, ReDelicious creates meals from food that would otherwise go to waste and then gives those meals out for free. Dupont Farmers Market is one of its many food sources.

He told me that ReDelicious “exists in the cracks of capitalism and the food economy” because of its unique place in DC. It shares many roles with food banks, grocery stores, and farmers' markets, but its commitment to free food, food experimentation, and community gives it its niche. 

While half of ReDelicious’ goal is to reduce food waste, the other half is dedicated to building community. ReDelicious hosts food experimentation workshops and has a food-related book club. By simply showing up, taking some food, and volunteering, I joined them and helped it grow larger. 

I was assigned to collect dirty dishes and help the dishwasher dry them. It wasn’t that tedious, as plenty of other volunteer dishwashers cycled in and out, talking about their 5k run, helping the book club, or asking about my experience in DC. Throughout the hour of drying donated dishes (another sign of community!), I was called a “drying machine” multiple times. Considering how quick some dishwashers were, I embraced that title with glee. 

As I finished my work and prepared to leave, I knew I had found a new healthy food waste-reducing community in ReDelicious to return to every week. When the green community wants to revive healthy products in urban DC, they return to the tried and true, ReDelicious.