Our Story
When Eddie’s parents immigrated to New York City in 1984, they arrived with little more than hope, a few hundred dollars, and the kindness of friends who offered them a place to stay. His father found work where he could and eventually opened a small fish store in Astoria. It was neighbors—offering help, sharing meals, creating community—who made that path possible.
Years later, Eddie started a Korean taco truck. No big plan—just good food. But the more he cooked, the more he saw how food could bring people together. Not just around flavors, but around stories, identities, and community. That little truck turned into a few restaurants, and then something bigger—a kitchen space for other food makers like us.
By 2019, we’d opened a shared commissary. A place for local entrepreneurs, immigrant cooks, and cultural communities to find space, support, and opportunity.
Then the pandemic hit. And everything changed. We went from feeding customers to feeding the city. What started as a community kitchen became a frontline response. Thousands of meals turned into millions.
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.
Since then, our work has grown—but we’re still just neighbors helping neighbors. Still showing up. Still cooking with love. Still believing that taking care of each other is one of the most powerful tools we have.
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
0.0M
meals
2021
0.0M
meals
2022
0.0M
meals
2023
0.0M
meals
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.
