This story first appeared in the Spring 2024 edition of our “Peas & Carrots” newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here.

Smoking Goose, in downtown Indianapolis, is a meatery that handcrafts a variety of products for wholesale distribution.

Throughout their 12-year history, this local producer has supported Second Helpings in a variety of ways.

Since 2014, Second Helpings has rescued more than 50,000 pounds of food from Smoking Goose including Capocollo di Dorman, City Ham, Hot Smoked Wagyu Beef Bologna, Applewood Smoked Bacon Bits, and more.

Protein donations are particularly valuable in our Hunger Relief kitchen, as it is often the most expensive ingredient in our meals and critical to ensure all our meals are nutritionally balanced.

This partnership stems from shared values. Corrie Cook, who serves as Smoking Goose’s Director of Narration, explains, “Smoking Goose and Second Helpings share in the belief that there’s room–and a plate–for everyone at the table. Donating and volunteering to help address hunger relief is so closely tied to both food rescue and culinary training.”

“To help make sure everyone in our community is well fed, we need to make sure we’re making the most of our resources, and that means avoiding food waste and having the experience to know how to prepare ingredients. Smoking Goose is proud to support Second Helping’s multi-faceted approach to get good food to folks who need it.”

Beyond donating excess food items, Smoking Goose has also participated in our events, donating tickets to attend their Whole Hog Butchering Class to our Corks & Forks silent auction and competing in our Souper Bowls event.

Perhaps our favorite way for a local business to support Second Helpings is by hiring graduates of our Culinary Job Training program. Smoking Goose currently has three graduates on their team.

Piper Workman, a graduate of Class 151 in 2022, works as a chef in Smoking Goose’s Public Smokehouse, and Piper served as their representative at Souper Bowls in February, preparing a spicy Snapdragon Soup.

Public Smokehouse manager Anna Efroymson says, “Piper’s education at Second Helpings has given her skill and insight along with culinary confidence and a discriminating palate.”

Thanks to Smoking Goose’s continued support, we can continue working towards our shared vision for a community where everyone has enough nourishing food and ample opportunities to thrive.