Deliveries reach people facing food insecurity in Greater Boston
BOSTON, MA – When Dumpling Daughter founder and CEO, Nadia Liu Spellman, placed a large order of her signature frozen-fresh dumplings ahead of the Lunar New Year, what she received was over 90,000 dumplings lacking the usual amount of soy sauce in their filling. It was a manufacturer’s mistake of epic proportions — and a boon for people facing food insecurity in Greater Boston, thanks to Liu Spellman’s decision to donate them all.
“There was something missing from the recipe, which meant I couldn’t sell the dumplings, but I couldn’t stand to see this good food go to waste, either,” said Liu Spellman, whose three popular Boston area restaurants and direct-to-consumer website feature savory buns and dumplings following her family’s recipe. “That’s when I contacted Spoonfuls, and I said, ‘Let’s make the most of this!’”
Spoonfuls, a company headquartered in Newton and working across the Commonwealth, partners primarily with grocery retailers, wholesalers, and farmers, and specializes in same-day recovery and distribution of unsold, perishable food to food programs, like pantries and shelters. Liu Spellman has served on its Culinary Board since 2023. “I joined this board to champion food recovery as a tool for reducing wasted food and feeding people, and then I was presented with a real-time opportunity to act.”
Spoonfuls’ team partnered with Dumpling Daughter to make special dumpling deliveries to community partners in Greater Boston, including United Way of Tri-County’s Pearl Street Cupboard in Framingham, whose clients include families celebrating the Lunar New Year. “The importance of good food, culturally appropriate food, can’t be overstated,” said Joe Mina, Program Director of the pantry. “It’s not just any food. It’s food that nourishes the whole person.”
Said Spoonfuls’ Senior Operations Director, Sean Ahern, this single manufacturer’s mistake, and Liu Spellman’s commitment to food recovery, will feed thousands this winter.
The Spoonfuls’ and Dumpling Daughter teams are also planning a dumpling meal service, in which Dumpling Daughter will offer prepared dumplings, hot and fresh, outside a Spoonfuls’ partner pantry later this season. Details to be announced at a later date.