Organizational Narrative: The Big Apple on Wheels

The “Big Apple on Wheels”

Anthony and Amelia Armandi were dropping off the last of their restaurant’s furniture at Goodwill last July when they got an idea. A month earlier, along with hundreds of other New York City businesses, their Contemporary American restaurant was forced to close due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Big Apple in Greenwich Village had been a popular spot for locals and tourists alike since 1995, and its closing was a devastating loss for the Armandi family and the community. The Armandi’s past month had been the most uncertain of their lives, and they knew their employees and others in New York must be feeling the same — or perhaps worse.

Over the past 25 years of operating, the Armandi’s had built many relationships with other restaurants in the city, and prior to the pandemic, had discussed taking the restaurant mobile with a food truck. It quickly became apparent that they and their employees were perfectly equipped to turn the Big Apple into something bigger, better, and that would make a difference in the community. Standing outside of the Goodwill on the corner of Eighth and Sixth, The Big Apple on Wheels was born with a mission to help food-insecure families and individuals in New York City. Thanks to the generosity of local restaurants, the Big Apple on Wheels repackages and delivers leftover meals to hundreds of shelters, food kitchens, and parks around the city.

Fast forward ten months, and the Big Apple on Wheels has delivered over 90,000 free meals and partnered with over 200 restaurants. The Big Apple on Wheels envisions a city where no one goes to bed hungry — especially not amid a pandemic. New York City has given the Armandi family everything and more. In return, they stand by their commitment to helping the 1.5 million New Yorkers experiencing food insecurity during and after COVID-19.

Proof Points:

• Since its founding in July 2020, Big Apple on Wheels has delivered more than 90,000 free meals to food-insecure families and individuals in New York City.

• The Big Apple on Wheels is proud to partner with over 200 New York City restaurants in providing leftover food to be repurposed, repackaged, and delivered to those experiencing food insecurity.

• Every day at 6 PM, Big Apple on Wheels hosts grab-and-go pick-ups at over 15 different parks in the city. Individuals may get in line to choose from various meal options for the day or upcoming week.

• The Big Apple on Wheels delivers free meals at over 20 local shelters every morning and evening.

• The Big Apple on Wheels delivers leftover food at over 15 different food kitchens in the city every evening to be served the next day.

• There are over 1.5 million individuals experiencing food insecurity in New York.

• The Big Apple on Wheels provides healthy meals that cater to a variety of diets and allergies.

• The Big Apple on Wheels is a non-profit and relies solely on donations from individuals and businesses in the community.

• The Big Apple on Wheels is committed to ending food insecurity in New York City, one day and one individual at a time.

Background:

The Big Apple on Wheels was founded in July 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Armandi family transformed their restaurant, The Big Apple, into a non-profit organization dedicated to delivering free meals to New Yorkers experiencing food insecurity. In partnership with over 200 New York City restaurants, the Big Apple on Wheels has delivered over 90,000 free meals over the past ten months.