Tech Meets Purpose: Supporting City Harvest’s Fight Against Hunger
Feeding Hope: The Mission of City Harvest
City Harvest has been a beacon of hope in the fight against hunger in New York City since its founding in 1982. As the first and largest food rescue organization in the United States, City Harvest has redefined how surplus food is repurposed to serve communities in need. What began with a small group of volunteers collecting leftover food from restaurants has evolved into a massive operation that delivers tens of millions of pounds of food annually. This year, City Harvest aims to distribute an extraordinary 81 million pounds of food to its neighbors in need across the five boroughs. By rescuing food that would otherwise go to waste, the organization not only alleviates hunger but also significantly reduces food waste and its associated environmental impact. City Harvest’s unwavering commitment to feeding New York City’s vulnerable populations is fueled by private donations and partnerships, as it receives minimal public funding. The organization’s mission extends beyond food distribution; it seeks to empower communities through nutrition education programs and innovative initiatives to address food insecurity at its roots. In partnership with organizations like Food Bank For New York City, City Harvest works to cover as much of the city’s food need as possible—though even with these efforts, the demand remains above pre-pandemic levels. Against this backdrop of growing need, City Harvest turned to Maureen Data Systems (MDS) to strengthen its IT infrastructure and ensure that its operations remain efficient, secure, and scalable.
Bridging Gaps in IT: A Critical Turning Point
City Harvest’s journey to MDS began during a period of critical need. The organization faced gaps in IT service management and cybersecurity that left it vulnerable to threats. Bronwen Stine, Vice President of Information Technology and Business Intelligence at City Harvest, explained, “The cybersecurity maturity level was not where it needed to be, and ITSM standards were also not being met.” Additionally, City Harvest was preparing for a significant operational shift: relocating its administrative and operational facilities to a new, consolidated headquarters in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. Ensuring continuity of service throughout this transition was paramount, but City Harvest lacked the in-house IT resources to meet these challenges alone.
Solutions That Scale: How MDS Helped Transform City Harvest’s Operations
Recognizing the stakes, MDS stepped in to deliver a comprehensive suite of solutions tailored to City Harvest’s unique needs. One of the first priorities was enhancing cybersecurity. MDS implemented advanced tools like CrowdStrike, KnowBe4, and Microsoft Defender, providing 24/7 protection against evolving threats. Alongside this, MDS designed and executed a seamless IT infrastructure plan for the relocation, ensuring that City Harvest could continue its critical work without interruption. What set MDS apart was not just its technical expertise but its collaborative approach. “MDS does a terrific job of communication and collaboration,” said Stine. “It’s one of the things I’ve always appreciated about them. They’re incredibly responsive and consistent, reaching out proactively to address any issues before they become problems.”
Building Resilience: From Vulnerability to Strength
The results of the collaboration were clear. With MDS’s support, City Harvest significantly enhanced its cybersecurity posture, reducing exposure to potential threats. The seamless relocation to the new headquarters was another milestone, achieved without operational disruptions. Perhaps most importantly, the organization’s IT department—once viewed as a point of vulnerability—emerged with a strengthened reputation. “This year, we conducted a customer satisfaction survey that included questions about the MDS team,” Stine shared. “The survey results showed that our users are overall very happy with MDS. Anecdotally, I’ve heard that the IT department didn’t enjoy the strong reputation it has now before switching to MDS.” MDS’s impact extended to measurable outcomes. By deploying critical tools and optimizing IT infrastructure, City Harvest now operates with greater efficiency and security. “They’ve helped us fully deploy tools like CrowdStrike, KnowBe4, and Defender, and they’ve been instrumental in making sure we use these tools effectively,” said Stine. The organization also benefits from the enhanced analytics provided through Microsoft 365, enabling better decision-making and stronger security metrics.
Looking Forward: A Partnership for Sustained Impact
The impact of MDS’s work extended beyond technical improvements. By addressing critical IT needs, MDS enabled City Harvest to focus on its mission of feeding New York City’s most vulnerable residents. “For nonprofits like ours, MDS is truly best of breed,” Stine noted. “They understand our unique challenges and deliver tailored solutions. I would recommend them to any organization in our vertical.” Looking ahead, City Harvest anticipates continued collaboration with MDS. With over a year remaining on its current contract, the organization plans to leverage MDS’s expertise for future projects. “MDS offers a low bar to consulting resources,” said Stine. “They allow us to engage expert support for discrete projects without needing to staff up unnecessarily.” The partnership between City Harvest and MDS underscores the transformative power of strategic IT solutions. Together, they have demonstrated that even the most complex challenges can be met with innovation, collaboration, and a shared commitment to making a difference. As City Harvest continues to expand its impact, MDS will undoubtedly play a key role in supporting its mission to rescue food, fight hunger, and build a more sustainable future.
