4th Annual Lettuce Run for the Friendly Fridge BX

塞 The 4th Annual Lettuce Run for the Friendly Fridge BX – 2026 Please join the Van Cortlandt Track Club for our Fourth Annual Lettuce Run to raise funds for the Friendly Fridge BX. This Bronx-based organization's mission is to rescue and redirect more healthy food into its surrounding community through outreach, partnership, and action. The need remains great—and the opportunity to create lasting change is even greater.

Thanks to the incredible support of our community, the Friendly Fridge BX continues to grow and serve more people than ever. Together, we’re rescuing and redirecting over 75,000 pounds of prepared meals and fresh produce every month—and with your help, we have the opportunity to reach even more families and reduce even more waste.

This year’s race comes just a few days after Thanksgiving — the perfect time to turn our post-holiday energy into climate action. Every step we take helps fight food waste and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, transforming what would’ve gone to landfills into nutritious meals for our neighbors. So lace up, bring your friends, and join a little friendly competition for the planet! Expect great raffle prizes, music, and plenty of community spirit as we run for a cause that nourishes both people and the Earth.

 Why We Run for the Friendly Fridge BX Did you know that a single head of lettuce can take up to 25 years to decompose in a landfill—releasing harmful methane gas the entire time? Meanwhile, thousands of Bronx residents struggle with food insecurity. Food waste is both an environmental and social crisis—but the Friendly Fridge BX has proven that it can also be a powerful solution.

Since its founding, the Friendly Fridge BX has grown from a small sidewalk fridge plugged into a local restaurant to a normalized community food hub powered by hundreds of volunteers, local businesses, and institutions. Every month, the Fridge rescues and redirects more than 75,000 pounds of healthy food—keeping it out of landfills and getting it to neighbors who need it most.

Every day, the Fridge supports:

Working families trying to make ends meet

Seniors on fixed incomes facing impossible grocery choices

Anyone in need of healthy food—without judgment, stigma, or barriers

With your participation, we can help the Friendly Fridge BX expand its food rescue operations and reach even more people in our community.

‍♀️ Event Details This family-friendly event welcomes all abilities!

5K Run and 2K Walk

Virtual 5K (new this year!)

Kids’ Race!

Giveaways, raffle prizes, and community fun!

If you can’t join us in person, please consider the virtual race and/or donating—every dollar helps rescue more food from landfills and get it to neighbors who need it most.

Sponsorships are available and you'll be an integral part of the solution!

Fruit Tier ($250)

Recognition on the Friendly Fridge Bx website

Social media shout-out on race day

Two complimentary race entries

Veggie Tier ($500)

All Fruit benefits

Logo featured on participant T-shirts

Four complimentary race entries

Potato Tier ($1,000)

All Veggie benefits

Logo on Friendly Fridge Food Hub sponsorship banner

Six complimentary race entries

Dessert Tier ($3,000)

All Potato benefits

Booth space at the event

Eight complimentary race entries

Main Course Tier ($5,000)

All Dessert benefits

Dedicated social media post about purpose of sponsorship

Premium location on sponsorship signage

Ten complimentary race entries

Banquet Tier ($10,000)

All Dessert benefits

Speaking opportunity at the event

Twenty complimentary race entries

Goods & Services Sponsors:

Van Cortlandt Park Alliance Van Cortlandt Track Club