Buddy System MIA relies on our unique and incredible partners to support our programs. From the small businesses that host our Community Fridges, to the nonprofits that help us repurpose thousands of pounds of food waste, to the corporations who help to sponsor our programming- we are indebted to these amazing organizations that help us give back to our community.
Our Partners
Partnership Highlights
Buchanan's Whisky
With the help of Buchanan’s Whisky, Buddy System has been able to establish nine Community Fridges in Miami-Dade County. This amazing partnership commissioned local Miami artists such as Atomik and Reyna Noriega to paint our Community Fridges while feeding thousands of people in food deserts.
Good Samaritan Meals
Our partnership with Good Samaritan Meals has enabled Buddy System to repurpose thousands of pounds of excess food waste from Trader Joe’s into all of our Community Fridges and our Homebound Food Access program. Almost every day of the week, our two organizations partner together to combat food waste and feed South Florida.
Interested in partnering with us?
Are you a nonprofit looking to reach community members who use our Community Fridges? A company looking to give back? A small business wanting to host a Community Fridge? Email us and let’s start a conversation!
Financial Partners
Finding enduring fiscal partners who believe in Buddy System’s message has been an important part of our growth as an organization. With these partnerships, we have been able to expand our capacity- hiring new team members, adding food distributions, and creating new and exciting programming. These partnerships not only offer fiscal support but have been instrumental in connecting us with other nonprofits and partners in Miami as well as offering advice from professionals in the fields of fundraising and marketing. Many of these partners have programming ideas- suggestions on areas that could use a Community Fridge or partnerships that will further our reach- these conversations are equally important to our growth, learning from people who know Miami best. We plan to expand on these partnerships so we may continue to expand and reach into further pockets of Miami-Dade County.
Green Family Foundation, The Miami Foundation, Junior League of Miami, Caesar-Iglesias Family Foundation, The Florida Department of Health, Miami-Dade Community Grant, Diageo via The Fairfield County Foundation, Allegany Franciscan Ministries, The Richard Sharpstein Fund
Community Partners
At Buddy System, we seek the improvement of minority health outcomes and the elimination of health disparities through the development of closely coordinated community-based projects advocating for the whole person’s well being. Partnerships with other nonprofits and organizations across Miami-Dade county are imperative in addressing health disparities. As one organization, we can help to fight food insecurity, but in partnership with other organizations we can vastly improve many other social determinants of health. We know that if an individual is experiencing food insecurity, there are statistically many more health needs not being met. Areas like housing insecurity, illness, immigration status, and mental health issues run rampant in individuals experiencing food insecurity. Together in partnership with these organizations, we hope to address the many social and economic conditions impacting health.
Mindful Rookies, Positive People Network, Hermanos De La Calle, Power U, Office of Community Health and Planning, 300 Letters, Florida Immigration Coalition, Americans for Immigrant Justice, Bookleggers, Miami Seed Share, One Wish Immigration, Southern Birth Justice Network, The Resource Room, EatWell Exchange, SMASH (Struggle for Miami’s Affordable and Sustainable Housing), MCARE (Miami Coalition to Advance Racial Equity), The Office of Preventative Services, Metro Mommy Agency, Ausome Foundation, Caring for Miami, GI 305, Coral Gables Art Cinema on the Move, Overtown Youth Coalition, O, Miami, The Bridge International, The Sustainable Events Network, Temple Judea, Temple Beth Shalom, Unite Us, FIU NeighborhoodHELP, Repair the World, University of Miami Law Human Rights Clinic, Transsocial, Mckenzie Project, Sweat Records, Reef Technologies, Miami Freedom Project, AJ Madison, Shoe Gallery, The Alliance for LGBTQ Youth
Community Fridge Hosting Partners
Our Miami Community Fridge Initiative utilizes strong, reliable, and flexible partners to host our fridges; these partnerships require equal care and attention from both ends. When problems arise, the Community Fridge host and Buddy System MIA work together to provide necessary support and assistance to the local community. These hosts will continue to play an important role in the future of Buddy System. Each Community Fridge is culturally and linguistically tailored to specific individuals, cultures, and groups in Miami-Dade County. The host of these fridges must be the right location and organization to serve the specific populations' needs. Below is a list of our current Community Fridge Partner Organizations.
The Overtown Optimist Club, WIC Center, The Polished Coconut, Urban Resource, Williams Grocery, Family Action Network Movement, New Health Community Center, Hialeah Housing Authority - Ruth A Tinsman and Holland Hall, Healthy Little Havana, Sylvester Cancer Center, Crossbridge Church
Food Rescue Partners
Buddy System works with many food rescue organizations, grocery stores, and restaurants to repurpose food that would otherwise be thrown away into our community fridges, food distributions, and food pantries. With these partnerships we rescued over 350,000 pounds of food in 2023 alone. The US Department of Agriculture estimates that roughly one third of food intended for human consumption becomes food waste in the US. This food waste exacerbates the climate crisis with its significant greenhouse gas emissions and release of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. The EPA issued a report in 2021 that stated food waste in America is equal to the CO2 emissions of 42 coal fired power plants (roughly equivalent to 1/5th of all power plants in the US); this number does not include food rotting in landfills. Food rescue is an important tool in fighting climate change. Below is a list of food rescue partners and this list continues to grow!
Good Samaritan Meals, Food Rescue US, Feeding South Florida, Milam’s Market, Farm Share, Zak the Baker, Paradise Farms, Mamma Leone, Kosher Food Bank, Urban Oasis Project, Careit, Copia, JCS Kosher Food Bank, TopoChico, PepsiCo, PLANTA