Fighting Food Insecurity with Pete's Garden
Pete's Garden ~ Aired October 30th, 2025
What Started As A Personal Garden Turned Into Fighting Food Insecurity In Kansas City.
This week on the show, we welcomed Tamara Weber, Founder of Pete's Garden to our show, we had one of those rare conversations that sticks with you long after the microphones are turned off. What started as a discussion about food waste quickly became a heartfelt exploration of community, compassion, and the power of a simple meal shared around the table.
Tamara’s story begins not in a corporate boardroom or with a multimillion-dollar grant, but in her own backyard, literally. Her father, Pete Sluk, loved growing vegetables. He grew so much that he couldn’t possibly eat it all, so he gave it away. Neighbors, friends, anyone who needed it; Pete made sure no good food went to waste. Years later, that same seed of generosity grew into something much bigger: Pete’s Garden, a Kansas City-based nonprofit that rescues surplus prepared meals and redistributes them to local families in need.
From Garden Roots to Community Tables
As Tamara shared on the show, Pete’s Garden isn’t your typical food pantry. They don’t collect cans or dry goods they rescue restaurant-quality, fully prepared meals from caterers, restaurants, and large food-service operations. The kind of food that, due to logistics or event timing, might otherwise be tossed out even though it’s perfectly fresh and safe to eat.
Pete’s Garden collects this unserved food, portions it into family-sized, take-home containers, and works with local social-service organizations to get those meals into the hands of families who need them most. It’s a win-win: less food waste for businesses and more nutritious, ready-to-heat meals for Kansas City households facing food insecurity.
A Fresh Approach to Community Impact
Pete’s Garden has built a model that feels refreshingly practical. There’s no red tape or overcomplication, just simple systems and strong partnerships. Restaurants and caterers know their extra food won’t be wasted. Families know someone is looking out for them. Volunteers and students know their time directly translates into full plates and grateful hearts.
Every part of Pete’s Garden’s process reflects care, from the temperature logs that ensure safety, to the thoughtful packaging, to the partnerships that make distribution efficient. It’s a grassroots effort that’s grown into a citywide movement.
Less Waste. More Meals. More Hope.
As our conversation wrapped up, what struck us most was how deeply personal Pete’s Garden’s mission feels. It’s not about numbers or statistics, even though their impact is measurable and impressive. It’s about people, families, neighbors, volunteers, and yes, chefs coming together around the simple idea that good food should never go to waste while others go hungry.
In a city known for its food culture, Pete’s Garden is redefining what it means to serve a community. They remind us that every meal has a story and sometimes, that story starts with a second chance.
Get Involved
If you’d like to learn more, volunteer, or support Pete’s Garden, visit petesgarden.org. Whether you donate funds, volunteer in the kitchen, or spread the word, you’ll be helping to turn surplus into supper,and keeping Pete’s spirit alive in every shared meal.