SF Off-Grid Festival: Food, Emergency Services & Resilience

Off the Grid: From Food Truck Festivals to Emergency Support

Off the Grid, a prominent fixture in San Francisco’s food culture, was established in 2010 by Matt Cohen. Initially, the company organized neighborhood pop-up festivals showcasing innovative food trucks and the entrepreneurs behind them.

The Early Days & Growth

The company played a significant role in the burgeoning food truck movement, aiming to provide a pathway for a new wave of talented and diverse chefs to reach a wider audience. Over time, these festivals gained considerable popularity.

Off the Grid also expanded its operations to include catering services for various events. Cohen articulated his core belief: “Food serves as a source of comfort in diverse circumstances.”

A Shift in Focus: Responding to Crisis

The company’s trajectory began to change in 2017, prompted by devastating wildfires in regions like Sonoma and Napa. Firefighters battling these blazes, often in remote locations, frequently relied on Military-issued Meals Ready-to-Eat (MREs).

Cohen’s team identified an opportunity to improve this situation. He observed that emergency response often prioritized caloric intake over supporting local food businesses, and MREs were generally unappetizing and sourced from outside the state.

Connecting Restaurants with First Responders

Off the Grid envisioned a system where local restaurants could prepare meals, and the company would manage the logistics of delivering them to those on the front lines. The 2017 fires marked the company’s initial foray into assisting first responders and affected communities.

Approximately 20,000 meals were provided that year, giving Off the Grid valuable insight into the emergency response market.

The Pandemic Accelerates the Transition

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 dramatically accelerated this shift. With restaurants largely limited to delivery services, and the “front lines” expanding to encompass the entire community, the need for a reliable meal delivery system became critical.

Off the Grid seized this opportunity to offer support during a time of widespread hardship. Cohen explained, “While people may be grateful for any food during emergencies, a delicious meal can provide genuine comfort when lives are disrupted.”

Delivering Comfort and Supporting Local Businesses

Throughout the pandemic, Off the Grid facilitated the delivery of 1.3 million meals, offering a diverse menu to customers ranging from temporary shelters to individuals isolating at home. This model simultaneously sustained the local food scene that the company had nurtured for years.

Cohen emphasized the importance of these connections in building resilient communities, particularly in the face of ongoing climate change impacts.

Scaling for Growth and Regulatory Compliance

The rapid growth in 2020 necessitated a significant scaling of operations. Navigating varying food safety and health regulations across different counties in California required the development of streamlined processes for paperwork and logistics.

This newly developed technology now forms the foundation for the company’s next phase of growth as it enters its second decade.

Expanding Emergency Response Capabilities

“Food service involves unique challenges, particularly regarding licensing, permitting, insurance, and other essential operational aspects,” Cohen stated. With these logistics increasingly systematized, 2021 promises to be an ambitious year.

Off the Grid is collaborating with the state and the Red Cross to identify 39 California counties at high risk for wildfires. The goal is to onboard 200 restaurants, enabling rapid meal provision in the event of a fire.

A Dual Mission: Festivals and Emergency Support

Currently, approximately half of the company’s resources are dedicated to its emergency response programs. However, Off the Grid intends to continue hosting its food festivals, having already reopened smaller venues like Levi’s Plaza.

Larger festivals will resume as safety guidelines permit. Emergency response, however, has become a core, enduring mission for the company. “We will continue this work as long as there is a need,” Cohen affirmed.