From Tees to Tables: How the WM Phoenix Open Turned Excess Food Into Meals

As the golfers make their final putts and the excitement surrounding the WM Phoenix Open winds down, many people may think this is the end. But the story doesn't end on hole 18. For those working behind the curtain, plenty of work remains to be done.

When the week's festivities close, all the leftover meals don’t just disappear. At large events like this, food is often discarded and in landfills. Instead, with the help of Waste Not, the WM Phoenix Open is committed to a zero-waste goal, ensuring that no food goes unused.

Since the 1990s, Waste Not has been an active partner with M Culinary Concepts, the caterer of the WM Phoenix Open, to ensure that any unused food is put to good use. This year, M Culinary Concepts and Waste Not were able to rescue and redistribute 30,764 pounds of food to Arizonans in need. 

So, what does it take to make the WM Phoenix Open the greenest show on grass?  

Step 1: The Journey Begins

M Culinary Warehouse

The bulk of the food rescue work begins in the final days of the tournament. M Culinary Concepts, an already bustling catering operation, gathers a team of workers who sort, pack and prepare the donated food. This food is then stored in their walk-in freezers, waiting for Waste Not drivers to pick it up. Since all the food is perishable, this process must be done quickly to ensure no food goes to waste or spoils.

Step 2: Working Behind the Scenes

Once all the food reaches the Waste Not warehouse, the crew must quickly store it in the large freezers to preserve it for the journey ahead. But before this can happen, each pallet of food is weighed using a special pallet jack. The food is then organized based on size and type, like meats, prepared goods, and condiments, and is ready to be stored and delivered to the different partner non-profits that Waste Not serves. 

However, the process doesn’t stop there. While the warehouse crew is working behind the scenes, another team is working hard to reach out to all the nonprofits interested in receiving additional food. This team then gathers each organization's specific needs and relays that information to the warehouse, helping coordinate the deliveries for the following day.

Step 3: Serving the Community

Waste Not Drivers Loading Up the Trucks for Early Morning Deliveries

Finally, the big day arrives. Before the sun rises, Waste Not’s dedicated drivers are already in the warehouse. As early as 5 a.m., the warehouse crew and drivers begin loading their trucks with food to be delivered to food pantries, churches, and women’s shelters across Arizona.

One of the lucky agencies is Jose’s Closet, located in Mesa. Run by volunteers with big hearts, Jose’s Closet began as a simple mission to honor Jose, a cherished foster child who tragically died from leukemia at ten years old. In his memory, his foster mother, Wendy Esquibel, created Jose’s Closet to provide essential items like toys, clothes, and household goods to support families of foster, kinship and adopted children’s families. 

Jose's Closet

Kawnie has been a dedicated volunteer at Jose’s Closet for over ten years. One of her favorite parts about volunteering is the children and how she can make a difference in their lives.

“To see a child run out here with a toy will just make your day,” said Kawnie.

Several years after Jose’s Closet opened, Esquibel added a food pantry, Emma’s Eats, to help supplement the needs of foster children and families.  Besides toys, food is the most requested item from neighbors. For Kawnie, she has witnessed firsthand the incredible impact that food donations have on children and the families they serve. With the help of Waste Not and M Culinary Concept, foster children will receive full meals to nourish their growing bodies.  

“They’re not just getting macaroni and cheese, you know, they’re getting full meals,” said Kawnie. “But without the help, we wouldn’t even be able to supplement these families.”

The journey from the WM Phoenix Open to the homes and tables of families in need might not be visible to most. However, it’s a crucial part of Waste Not's ability to combat food waste and support those facing food insecurity. As Arizona ranks the worst in the country for food waste, partnerships like M Culinary Concepts and Waste Not are vital in ensuring that no food goes to waste and instead feeds those in need.

To get involved with our mission, visit us at wastenotaz.org/get-involved.