Airbnb Host Turns Guests' Leftover Food Into Meals For Hungry People

Thought Question: What is one simple way you could help others in your own community?

It’s a common problem Airbnb hosts normally face: what to do with the food guests leave behind. They can toss it, eat it, or give it away. Reid Kennedy has rented out a room to strangers for a decade. He has settled on the third option.  

The St. Paul, Minnesota, jazz drummer goes a step further by repackaging and adding to the food in care packages he gives to people struggling with food insecurity. He got the idea after giving an ice cold Pepsi on a hot summer day to a man living in a tent.   

“I could turn this into something better than pouring (guest leftovers) down the drain,” Kennedy told The Washington Post. “I could deliver things with a unique twist or some effort behind it, and go above and beyond to do something special for people.”  

When his guests leave, Kennedy collects any leftovers. Usually there are a lot. Short-term renters normally buy more food than they need. So, Kennedy packages meals from the extra food. He excludes food in containers that have been opened, contain alcohol, or have been partially eaten. Kennedy tries to build a theme around these meals based on the food he finds. One example is a charcuterie board made from string cheese, a protein bar, and fruit. To get these meals just right, Kennedy tosses in extra items from his own trips to the grocery store.

He records his meal prepping and posts it on his Instagram series, “AirBnB Leftovers.” It's now in its fourth season.

On each box, Kennedy includes inspiring messages supplied by friends and series viewers. One note was supplied by a Colorado guest whose peaches turned up in an episode. 

“You are your superpower. Let your light shine always,” the guest wrote.   

Gif of food from Giphy.