Celebrating Black History through Art

Chef Max Hardy has been a friend of Food Bank's for over seven years. He's been a volunteer, a supporter, a member of the Food Bank Culinary Council, and even served as an interim Director in our Community Kitchen in Harlem while it was undergoing renovations. To say that he's made an indelible mark on our mission to fight food insecurity across New York City would be quite the understatement. To learn more about the talented chef, we chatted with him about his approach to cooking and service as well as what Black History Month means to him. Check out the conversation below! What, for you, is the magic of food? For me, the magic is all about seeing people smile while they enjoy their food. Simple acts like cooking and baking bread bring people together in such a special way. My mom is Bahamian, and I have so many fun memories of us cooking together. Do you have a favorite meal memory? I definitely have a favorite career memory as a chef! I was interviewing for a Kosher catering company and they asked me to do a cooking demo for 3 Rabbis at a synagogue. They gave me a bunch of ingredients and asked me to make Matzah Ball Soup, but I had never made Matzah Ball Soup before. So, I get the Matzah meal and started to make the balls the way I would make a hushpuppy, which is totally the wrong way! I’m making my soup broth and folding my egg whites into the Matzah meal, and everything looks great when I end up serving the dish to the Rabbis. Afterward, they came into the kitchen and asked to see how I made the Matzah Balls because they knew they were wrong, but they still tasted delicious. One of the Rabbis took a Matzah Ball in his hand and threw it against the wall and it splattered and he said anytime it does that, it’s a good Matzah Ball! I had no clue what I was getting myself into, but I made it work, and it's still one of my fondest chef memories ever. How can folks use food to do good? This question makes me think of Food Bank's Community Kitchen & Food Pantry in Harlem. Everyone in the neighborhood knows everyone there. One of the things we try to do at Food Bank is challenge the stigma about what it’s like going to a soup kitchen. It should feel like going to the grocery store, like going to any other place in the community. I said it earlier, but there really is something powerful about using food to bring people together. What does Black History Month mean to you? I keep saying community, but that’s what it is, right? For Black History Month, seeing the struggles that African Americans have been through and then to be an African American chef and be able to show how we have influenced food culture is important to me. I think of this month like any other month, it’s always important to show the work of African American chefs in the food and beverage industry. Lastly... if your bodega named a sandwich after you, what would it be called and what would it be? “The Busy Boss” and it would have crispy chicken tenders, spicy Caribbean slaw, and a guava spicy BBQ sauce on a toasted brioche bun. For more stories from chefs on the ground, make sure to check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Muhammad Talha and Ron Olaizola share a unique bond as both members of the operations team at Food Bank For New York City and reservists in the U.S. military—Ron serving in the Air Force and Talha in the Army. They are among several dedicated veterans managing Food Bank For New York City's Warehouse & Food Distribution Center, with Ron recently back from deployment in the Middle East. A dynamic duo: Food Bankers Muhammad Talha left, and Ron Olaizola at our Bronx Food Distribution Center. During his deployment, Ron was involved in a humanitarian aid mission that aligned closely with his work at Food Bank—for refugees in Syria and Gaza. He helped assemble culturally relevant food pallets, specifically halal meals, tailored to communities in need. As Ron put it, “In those moments, I felt like I was back at Food Bank.” Regardless of whether they are providing service in a conflict zone or in the heart of New York City, Talha and Ron are devoted to ensuring that the right food reaches those in need, from children and families to older adults and veterans. Talha's commitment to service was underscored by his personal experiences, having faced hunger as an immigrant from Pakistan and recognizing the impact of hunger in his homeland. “I joined the Military and my passion for service only grew,” says Talha. “I don’t want anyone to feel hunger, because I faced it. I came from Pakistan as an immigrant and hunger is a major issue there. I have seen it. I have felt it very closely. I have learned that we have to care, we have to look out for each other.”   Food Banker Muhammad Talha is a proud Army Veteran. Roughly 24% of active service members struggle with food insecurity, and 1.2 million veterans rely on SNAP benefits nationwide. As Ron prepares to retire from the Air Force in March 2025, both he and Talha remain resolved to ensure that veterans and anyone facing hunger have access to meals and support during challenging times. “I’m lucky to have a family, a job, and food to come home to,” says Ron. “Many of my friends don’t.” Watch the video to learn more about this dynamic duo and see how you can support food insecure service members this Veteran’s Day.

Volunteer Profile: Christopher Larson Christopher Larson has elevated Food Bank's mission across our virtual programs – including writing letters of hope to our clients through our Dear New York Program and amplifying food resources online as a Food Bank Social Media Ambassador. Why is Food Bank’s mission important to you? "Food Bank's mission to end food insecurity in NYC is important to me because, as a registered nurse, I've witnessed the negative health effects that occur due to not having dependable access to nutritious food. The number of people who face food insecurity is alarming, as no one should go hungry." What was your most memorable moment while serving with Food Bank? "I loved personally dropping off letters at Food Bank's Community Kitchen & Pantry in Harlem and seeing people engage with my posts as a Social Media Ambassador. Knowing that one of the letters I wrote might cheer someone up, or one of my posts might connect someone in need to the right resources, makes me happy!" Tell us about a meal that is special to you and your family. "Paella is very special to me and my family. It is the most popular dish in Spain and the ingredients can easily be modified for endless variety! Mi mamá taught me to cook authentic paella and we make it together every time I visit my family in Spain." Who inspires you to serve? "The LGBTQ+ community inspires me to serve – help is always given and equality and inclusion are shown to everyone regardless of background, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Reducing hunger for LGBTQ+ and all New Yorkers is reason enough to serve my community!"