Sports
How the Miami GP's mountainous food surplus feeds the city and fights climate change
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — A Formula One grand prix weekend is like a Super Bowl-caliber event in Miami – especially when it comes to the food.
Extravagant hospitality packages are created, award-winning chefs cater the weekend to bring the flavor of South Florida to F1, and VIPs flood the paddock. Over the years, the likes of the Williams sisters, David Beckham, Ed Sheeran, Michael Jordan and Paris Hilton have walked through the Hard Rock Stadium campus. Roughly 242,000 people attended the inaugural Miami Grand Prix, but the chefs’ teams for the restaurants working the event didn’t know quite what to expect when preparing the meals across the campus.
Thousands of pounds of food are made over the three-day weekend, ranging from simple ingredients like common produce to filet mignon. By the end of the 2022 weekend, approximately 90,000 pounds of food were left over, which equates to roughly 75,000 meals — a significant amount of food that needed to be rescued.
Food insecurity is rising in the United States, particularly in South Florida. The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion defines the term as “a household-level economic and social condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food.” Across Broward, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, and Monroe counties, nonprofit Feeding South Florida found that more than 1.2 million people faced food insecurity on Thanksgiving 2023.
Enter Food Rescue US — the middleman and solution to F1’s food surplus situation in Miami. The nonprofit has volunteers who pick up the viable remaining food (such as food not used for buffets) and deliver the surplus to local agencies, like homeless shelters and food pantries. But if the food weren’t rescued, it likely would end up in landfills. The South Florida office has worked with Hard Rock Stadium for several years, delivering food surplus from college and professional football games to local organizations.
When F1 came to town, it was natural for the Food Rescue US – South Florida branch to collaborate with Hard Rock Stadium again.
“I remember them calling me saying, ‘So Ellen, we just got F1,’” said Ellen Bowen, the site director. “‘Think of the Super Bowl times three.’”
How it works
The food rescue mission doesn’t commence until after the grand prix weekend is over.
During the race’s first year, the volunteers spent three days gathering and delivering food surplus, which she described as food that can be sold or served but doesn’t leave the kitchen. In 2022, this ranged from pulled pork to veggies and pastries. “It was staggering,” Bowen said. “It took us three days to do it with about a total of 125 volunteers that were working in basically four-hour shifts.”
It’s impossible to save 100 percent of the extra food — for instance, media catering is buffet-style. But rescuing 90,000 pounds in year one requires significant effort, not just by providing meals but also by keeping the food out of the landfill.
“Miami and Broward County are running out of landfill space. The incinerators that we’ve used, it burned down last year. So we’re as an organization, and I think, as a county, really trying to find a way to reduce the actual waste,” Bowen said, adding. “The organizations we feed, they’re homeless shelters, they’re community-based organizations that service underserved communities, whether it’s through a church or community center, we put food into community refrigerators. So all of this food that we rescue goes to people that maybe never had a filet mignon before, or certainly people that really need this good, healthy, nutritious food.”
Year two involved fewer volunteers as the existing kitchen staff brought in more employees to help store the food, leaving Food Rescue US – South Florida to coordinate the transportation. With one grand prix weekend under their belts, the kitchen crews knew what to expect, and the food surplus dropped — but it “was pretty comparable to the Super Bowl in terms of quantity.”
Bowen estimated that year two resulted in 60,000 pounds of food, which is 50,000 meals; in 2024, the number totaled 65,000 pounds, roughly 55,000 meals. (Miami GP managing partner Tom Garfinkel estimated the 2024 race this past weekend brought in 275,000 fans.) According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a meal is approximately 1.2 pounds, so you divide the weight of the food by 1.2 to determine an estimate of its number of meals.
Over the years, the process essentially has remained the same (but was a day shorter this year) — prepared food on day one, leftover prepared food, salads and produce, as well as unused items like plates and cups on day two, and condiments and bread on day three. In 2024, the operation took only two days and seven trucks to the six different Miami-Dade and Broward Counties shelters. Bowen said: “If there is a giant can of tomato sauce that they didn’t use, like bulk quantities, we take that also because if you think about it, what happens once (the) grand prix is gone, that site shuts down, and they don’t want to be storing things that might possibly go past expiration.”
Food Rescue US – South Florida does the same during football season, like when the Dolphins don’t have a home game for two weeks. Bowen said: “It’s very much dependent on, can they use it soon? Can they freeze it and then use it? Or is it something that they just don’t anticipate using in enough of the near future to hold on to?”
The food requirements
They can’t rescue all of the food on the campus, either.
Food Rescue US won’t accept hot food, Bowen said. It needs to be refrigerated and cooled down, so they don’t begin their F1 operations until the Monday after the race weekend. The food also must be stored in sealed containers and labeled with the food item and the date it was packed.
However, the organization and chefs also adhere to other guidelines, like ServSafe (which provides alcohol and food safety training) and the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act. This federal law essentially “allows for any food donated in good faith to be free of liability,” Bowen said.
When it comes to who receives the food surplus first, Bowen says she will “try and support the homeless shelters first because they have the capacity to store and freeze trays and trays and trays of food.” She primarily works with four larger shelters, all of which can reheat the food and safely handle large quantities of food.
The remaining food will be divided among smaller food pantries, which typically don’t have full kitchens like homeless shelters or the ability to reheat the food. They’ll often receive produce and nonperishables because these are “a little more shelf stable and can just be distributed as groceries.”
A look at the bigger picture
Food insecurity continues to be a worldwide problem, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic. In Florida, there is limited affordable housing and prices for gas and groceries continue to rise, Bowen said.
“I think people that identify as food insecure now are maybe people that never identified as food insecure pre-COVID,” she added. “The statistics are staggering. Forty percent of all food is wasted. Yet I know in the state of Florida, one in 10 report going to bed hungry, and out of that, one in five are children. So we’re not doing a really good job of feeding our own population, and part of that is feeding them nutritious food, too.”
Thus, Food Rescue US – South Florida focuses on bringing the food surplus to underserved communities, specifically food deserts. These areas lack or have limited access to healthy and affordable foods. Bowen said, “They’re shopping at the local corner bodega. They don’t have a Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods in their backyard. They have a low-end supermarket or a bodega where they shop, and many of them that they’re on assistance, have to stretch those dollars.”
Miami neighborhoods categorized as pockets of food deserts include Little Haiti, Little Havana, Liberty City, Overtown, and Miami Gardens, where Hard Rock Stadium is located and where the grand prix is held.
Rescuing food surplus not only helps feed underserved communities. It also helps lessen the amount of food waste in the landfills, ultimately dampening the long-term effects of climate change.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined food waste significantly contributes to climate change. According to a recent report on quantifying methane emissions at U.S. landfills, the researchers found “an estimated 58 percent of the fugitive methane emissions (those released to the atmosphere) from municipal solid waste landfills are from landfilled food waste.” When organic waste (which includes food waste) breaks down, this turns into methane, which NASA has labeled as “a powerful greenhouse gas” that “is the second-largest contributor to climate warming after carbon dioxide (CO2).” Methane also comes from other sources, like fossil fuels and agriculture, but diverting food from landfills can help reduce the impact on the climate, the evidence suggested from the EPA’s research.
F1 continues to say sustainability is a high priority for the sport, striving to become net zero carbon by 2030. Last month, it released its Impact Report, reporting that it reduced its carbon footprint by 13 percent between 2018 and 2022. Working with food banks and other charities is a common practice for most F1 tracks, including the Las Vegas Grand Prix, which donates rescued food surplus to help local communities.
“Whatever little bit we can do, and anyone can do,” Bowen said, “will contribute to actually reversing climate change by keeping food out of the landfills.”
Top photos: Ellen Bowen/Food Rescue US-South Florida
Sports
NBA player calls for Hawks to cancel their ‘Magic City’ strip club promotional night out of respect for women
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An NBA player has taken exception to an Atlanta Hawks promotional night, which is a nod to a famed strip club in the city.
The Hawks have “Magic City Night” scheduled for March 16 against the Orlando Magic, but a player for neither team isn’t too fond of paying tribute to a strip club, which has been famed for its late-night stories involving athletes, celebrities and more.
While the Hawks call it an ode to a “cultural institution,” San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet shared his displeasure in a letter posted on Medium.
Luke Kornet of the San Antonio Spurs reaches for the ball during the third quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on Feb. 26, 2026 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Ishika Samant/Getty Images)
Kornet, a nine-year veteran and 2024 NBA champion with the Boston Celtics, called for the Hawks’ promotional night to be canceled later this month, saying that it is disrespectful to women to honor the strip club.
“In its press release, the Hawks failed to acknowledge that this place is, as the business itself boasts, “Atlanta’s premier strip club.” Given this fact, I would like to respectfully ask that the Atlanta Hawks cancel this promotional night with Magic City,” Kornet wrote in his post.
“The NBA should desire to protect and esteem women, many of whom work diligently every day to make this the best basketball league in the world. We should promote an atmosphere that is protective and respectful of the daughters, wives, sisters, mothers, and partners that we know and love.”
The Hawks boasted about the theme night in its press release, including a live performance by famous Atlanta rapper T.I., a co-branded, limited-edition hoodie and even the establishment’s “World Famous” lemon-pepper chicken wings in the arena.
A general view of signage with the State Farm Arena logo on Nov. 14, 2025, outside State Farm Arena, in Atlanta, GA. (Erica Denhoff/Icon Sportswire)
“This collaboration and theme night is very meaningful to me after all the work that we did to put together ’Magic City: An American Fantasy’,” said Hawks principal owner, filmmaker and actor, Jami Gertz, said in a press release. “The iconic Atlanta institution has made such an incredible impact on our city and its unique culture.”
Kornet wrote that allowing the night to continue “without protest would reflect poorly on us as an NBA community, “specifically in being complicit in the potential objectification and mistreatment of women in our society.”
Kornet wrote that “others throughout the league” were surprised by the Hawks’ decision to have this promotional night.
“We desire to provide an environment where fans of all ages can safely come and enjoy the game of basketball and where we can celebrate the history and culture of communities in good conscience. The celebration of a strip club is not conduct aligned with that vision,” he wrote.
Luke Kornet of the San Antonio Spurs defends against the Charlotte Hornets during their game at Spectrum Center on Jan. 31, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
The Hawks have seen good reception for the promotional night, as Tick Pick reported a get-in price was initially $10 for the game and has since skyrocketed to $94.
Kornet is in his first season with the Spurs, his sixth NBA team, where he has played mainly in a bench role. He averages 7.1 points and 6.5 rebounds per game across 50 contests.
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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — How do you improve on the perfect ending?
Clayton Kershaw stood in the desert heat Monday, wearing a far darker shade of blue than the Dodgers do. He does not need a medal, or a chance to fail. His election to the Hall of Fame will be a formality.
In his farewell year, the Dodgers won the World Series, becoming baseball’s first back-to-back champions in 25 years. He secured a critical out. He bathed in adoration at the championship rally, and he told the fans he would be one of them this year.
“I’m going to watch,” he hollered that day, “just like all of you.”
Four months later, he was back in uniform.
He wore a dark blue jersey with red-and-white piping. As Team USA ran through its first World Baseball Classic workout, Kershaw participated in pitchers’ fielding practice and shagged fly balls during batting practice. He could have been home with his five kids, and instead he was rushing off the mound to take a throw at first base.
That November night in Toronto, as it turned out, was not the last time we would see him in uniform.
“Feels good,” he said Monday. “I wouldn’t put on a uniform for anything else. This is a special thing.”
He put the World Baseball Classic into red, white and blue perspective.
“It’s a bucket list thing for me,” he said.
He is either self-deprecating or painfully honest about his capabilities right now, or perhaps a little of both.
The last World Baseball Classic came down to Shohei Ohtani pitching to Mike Trout. This one could come down to Kershaw pitching to Ohtani.
“I think, for our country’s sake, it’s probably better if I don’t,” Kershaw said.
Former Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw fields a ground ball during a workout at Papago Park Sports Complex on Monday.
(Chris Coduto / Getty Images)
Never say never. Team USA planned to run a tremendous rotation of Tarik Skubal, Paul Skenes, Joe Ryan and Logan Webb, but now Skubal says he will pitch just once in the tournament. Skenes says he’ll pitch twice. Ryan says he won’t pitch in the first round, at least.
Kershaw might be needed beyond the role he was promised: save the team from using the current major league pitchers in blowouts or extra innings.
In 11 career at-bats against Kershaw, Ohtani has no hits. Kershaw won’t duck the assignment if gets it, but he considers it so unlikely he is happy to share his game plan publicly.
“It’s throw it, pitch away, play away, hope he flies out to left,” Kershaw said. “Don’t throw it in his barrel.
“I can’t imagine, if it comes down to USA versus Japan, with the arms that we have, that I’ll be needed. But I’ll be ready.”
Kershaw’s average fastball velocity dropped to 89 mph last season, but he led the majors in winning percentage. He could eat innings for some team — maybe even the Dodgers, with Blake Snell and Gavin Stone all but certain to be unavailable on opening day.
Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw, right, celebrates with teammates after the Dodgers defeated the Toronto Blue Jays for the 2025 World Series title.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
But, even with his success last year and even with the joy of wearing a uniform once again, he insists he isn’t interested in pitching beyond the WBC.
“I don’t want to,” he said. “You can’t end it better than I did last year. I had a great time last year. It was an absolute blast and honor to be on that team. I think that was the perfect way to end it. Honestly, I don’t know if I would have enough in the tank to pitch for a full season again. I’m really at peace with that decision.
“This is kind of a weird one-off thing, but you can’t really turn down this opportunity. It wasn’t easy to get ready for this, with no motivation for a season, but I actually am in a pretty good spot with my arm. I’ll be fine. If they need me, I’ll be ready.”
Kershaw said he has kept in touch with his old Dodgers teammates, with some connecting on video calls from the weight room or clubhouse at Camelback Ranch. He arrived in the Phoenix area two days before the workout, but he skipped a trip to Camelback Ranch.
“I’ve thought about it,” he said. “I miss the guys. I think it’s probably just better, at least for this first year, for me mentally to just stay away, just for spring training.”
Kershaw said he would be at Dodger Stadium for the championship ring ceremony March 27.
He is content with what he calls “Dad life.” He and his wife, Ellen, just welcomed their fifth child, and Dad life includes lots of shuttles to baseball and basketball practice.
“I run an Uber service,” Kershaw said.
This wouldn’t be a Dodgers story these days without some reference to the team’s big spending so, for what it’s worth, Kershaw spent some time Tuesday chatting with Skubal, who will be the grand prize on the free-agent market next winter, or whenever the likely lockout might end.
That’s a rational explanation, Kershaw says, for Skubal pitching just once in the WBC.
“Everybody knows the situation he is in, contract-wise,” Kershaw said. “Any innings we can get out of him is a huge bonus to this team. He’s great. Super competitive. We’re honored to have him.”
Should we assume Skubal will be pitching for the Dodgers next season? Kershaw laughed.
“No comment,” he said, then walked away to get ready for the first game of his post-retirement life.
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Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley sounded off on the frenzied reactions to the U.S. men’s hockey team getting invited to the White House by President Donald Trump.
Trump talked to the Olympic gold medal-winning team immediately after they defeated Canada in overtime last weekend. He said they would be invited to his State of the Union address and added that he needed to invite the women’s team as well or he would be “impeached.”
Charles Barkley sits courtside against the Minnesota Timberwolves during an NBA Cup game at Mortgage Matchup Center on Nov. 21, 2025. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
Trump critics took the joke as a shot at the women’s team, which sparked questions from NHL and Professional Women’s Hockey League reporters as the players returned to their respective club teams.
“I’m proud of the United States men. I’m proud of the United States women. You should have invited both of them to the White House, but it shouldn’t have been disrespect, misogyny,” Barkley said on the “Steam Room” podcast. “Like, yo, man, why do y’all have to mess everything up? Everything isn’t Democrat, Republican, conservative, liberal. That’s why we got this divided, screwed up country. Stop it man. Because, you know, the public, they’re idiots. They’re fools. They can’t think for themselves. I know y’all say stuff to trigger them. Y’all say stuff and y’all know they’re going to be fools.”
Barkley lamented that the average person would get riled up over the supposed controversy.
The U.S. team poses for a group photo after defeating Canada in the men’s ice hockey gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Milan, Italy, on Feb. 22, 2026. (Luca Bruno/AP Photo)
“We don’t have to fall for stupidity. But we do – that’s my point. These people out here are stupid. They need something to trigger them. Just because they want us to be stupid. We don’t have to be stupid. He should have invited both teams to the White House. Simple as that. Guys who didn’t want to go shouldn’t have to explain why they didn’t go.”
The former Philadelphia 76ers, Houston Rockets and Phoenix Suns star made clear he would go to the White House regardless of whether Trump was in office.
“I’ve said this before, I’m not a Trump guy. But if I got invited to the White House, I would go. I’m not a Trump guy – I want to make that clear. But I respect the office,” Barkley said. “He’s the president of the United States. But if guys don’t want to go, I understand that too. It doesn’t have to be a talking point. It doesn’t have to be un-American.
Megan Keller (5) celebrates with a flag alongside Cayla Barnes (3) of Team United States after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime during the women’s gold medal match against Canada on Day 13 of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Milan Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan, Italy, on Feb. 19, 2026. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
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“I just wish y’all would stop falling for the stupidity.”
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