Our Story
At Kommissary, we believe access to culturally sensitive, nutritious, and delicious food is your fundamental human right. Our mission goes beyond merely feeding people – it's about using food to inspire positive change and empower communities.
Over the past five years, we’ve touched the lives of millions across all five boroughs in New York City – from children and older adults to asylum seekers and the unhoused. Our work has allowed us the privilege to forge strong connections and become deeply embedded within communities citywide.
Our journey began in 2010 when CEO Eddie Song launched a Korean food truck to share his appreciation for Korean cuisine. The following decade the successful growth of the brand across NYC confirmed Eddie’s recognition of the profound connection between food, culture, and identity. From these roots, Kommissary was created in 2019 – a community of culturally diverse food entrepreneurs operating a shared commissary with a food truck, food cart, outdoor food vendors, and food hall – born from the understanding that food plays a vital role in shaping communities and giving them a voice.
The next year, COVID struck, and we planted the first of our roots as the go-to vendor for emergencies. Our first order of business was to aid New York City in saving lives. Over 568 days, we delivered 7.5 million meals to 16,000+ doors for which pandemic regulations had disrupted food access. And this was just the beginning.
As the pandemic began to wind down in 2022, we strengthened our position as the City’s problem solver. We expanded upon our stringent Quality Assurance procedures, formalized a Culinary Team, and established our headquarters in a 30,000-square-foot facility. NYC Health + Hospitals took notice, sparking our ongoing collaboration that began with 750,000 quarantine meals and testing kits.
Our partnership with NYC Health + Hospitals expanded in 2023 with the onset of the asylum seeker crisis. We helped build the Humanitarian Emergency Relief and Rescue Center (HERRC) program from scratch, and today, we manage operations at 11 sites where we provide food services to nearly 50,000 asylum seekers daily.
After winning a contract with the Department of Youth & Community Development, we began to provide meals for school children enrolled in after-school programs through the Department of Youth & Community Development. Through word of mouth, many other NYC schools heard about our services – and soon, this program expanded to encompass meal preparation, warehousing, and delivery to 280 NYC public schools and community centers.
Beyond 2024, we look forward to expanding our capabilities in food preparation, delivery, storage, distribution, and staffing.
In the past 5 years, we have produced, stored, and delivered over 35 million meals across all five boroughs. Our team operates 365 days a year, producing over 50,000 meals every day, delivered with our 33 temperature-controlled vehicles from our two production facilities.
Nothing falls outside of "normal" for us – whether that is addressing immigration challenges, public health emergencies, or community needs – we remain steadfast stewards of public trust.
As we codify our commitment to sustainable food practices of sourcing from New York state farms and donating to local food pantries, we are preparing the rollout of a completely green fleet of vehicles and biodegradable packaging and utensils within the next year.
Our reach extends far beyond the meals we serve. Join us as we continue to nourish communities, empower change, and shape a future where access to nutritious food is a universal right for all. We look forward to serving you.
Timeline
Since 2020, we've served...
2020
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2021
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2022
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2023
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2024
0M+
meals, and still counting!
Our Team
MWBE Certified As a minority-owned business, we recognize the importance of cultural sensitivity and diversity in every aspect of our operations to ensure our services resonate with the communities we serve. That's why we pride ourselves on employing a specialized and culturally diverse team of 370 New Yorkers, 99% of whom are minorities. We're hiring!
Leadership
Edward Song, CEO
Edward started his culinary journey 13 years ago with a Korean taco food truck soon after college. His passion for sharing Korean culture through food made him a food diplomat as his venture quickly gained popularity. Scaling up from one truck to a chain of fast-casual restaurants showcased his vision, but Edward realized that passion alone wasn't enough; infrastructure was crucial. Seeing a need for commercial kitchen spaces, he opened a large shared commissary. This vision thrived during the pandemic, with the community executing over $60M in contracts. Under Edward's leadership, the company continually expands its capabilities, amplifying its impact with each project.
Ethan Lee, COO
Ethan began his career trading short-term rates for six years at a mid-sized hedge fund before co-founding Kommissary with Edward. As the COO, Ethan manages the company's strategic investments and budget. His expertise in strategic operations and implementation has been vital in developing and delivering technology-driven business services and solutions. Ethan's leadership focuses on outstanding client service and driving profitable revenue growth. Under his guidance, the company has continually evolved while maintaining sustainable growth and financial stability.
