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The Challenge

According to ReFED, a nonprofit dedicated to reducing food waste in the United States, a staggering 38 percent of food goes uneaten in our country.  That adds up to 180 billion pounds and $408 billion wasted annually. Simultaneously, over 40 million Americans struggle with food insecurity, unsure of where their next meal will come from. These statistics paint a stark picture of a broken system in dire need of intervention.

Food Recovery As Part of Solution

Enter food recovery—an often-overlooked mechanism with the power to address both food waste and food insecurity simultaneously. Food recovery involves rescuing surplus food that would otherwise be discarded and redistributing it to those in need. It’s a simple concept with profound implications.

At the forefront of this movement is Food Rescue US, a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing food insecurity through food rescue. Our organization recognizes that hunger is not a scarcity issue but a distribution problem, and we are tackling it head-on by mobilizing volunteers to rescue surplus food and deliver it to local agencies serving those in need.  In 2023, Food Rescue US rescued 38 Million pounds of food across 20 states and the District of Columbia, the equivalent of more than 31 million meals for those in need.

Accessibility and Scalability

What sets food recovery apart is its accessibility and scalability. Volunteering as a food rescuer requires nothing more than time and compassion. Individuals can sign up to be a part of the solution, rescuing food from grocery stores, restaurants, bakeries, or catered events and delivering it to food pantries, soup kitchens, or shelters. The impact of volunteers ripples through communities, providing nourishment and hope to those who need it most.

The benefits of food recovery extend far beyond addressing immediate hunger. When food goes to landfill, it releases methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, as it degrades.  Diverting food from landfills reduces greenhouse gas emissions and alleviates the strain on our environment. It also has economic advantages, saving businesses money on disposal costs and generating tax deductions for food donations.

Food recovery also fosters a sense of community and solidarity, bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds, united by a common goal: to ensure no one goes hungry in their community. In a time marked by division and discord, feeding the food insecure transcends barriers and reminds us of our shared humanity.

Underutilized Tool

Despite its immense potential, food recovery as a solution remains underutilized on a national scale. To fully harness food recovery’s power, we must elevate it in our collective consciousness and integrate it into our social and economic systems. This requires collaboration among policymakers, businesses, nonprofits, and individuals (volunteers) to create supportive frameworks and incentives for food recovery initiatives.

We can all play a role in promoting food recovery. Whether we volunteer our time, support food recovery organizations like Food Rescue US, or advocate for policy changes, each of us has the power to make a difference.

The post Food Recovery: A Powerful Solution Combating Food Waste and Food Insecurity appeared first on Food Rescue US.

We are grateful for the commitment and dedication of our food donors, volunteer food rescuers, social service agencies, site directors and their teams, and financial donors. Together, we are making a significant difference.

View our 2022 Impact Report HERE.

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View our 2021 Impact Report HERE.

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Between December 13-26, Hot Chicken Takeover customers will have the opportunity to add a $5 donation to their check and in return will receive a buy one meal, get one free coupon, redeemable in the month of January at any Central Ohio restaurant location. All proceeds contributed through HCT’s Pay it Forward program will be donated to Food Rescue US, providing meals to Central Ohio residents in need this holiday season.

“Alongside our commitment to being a supportive and purposeful employer, we’re committed to being an active contributor in the communities we serve,” shares Joe DeLoss, Hot Chicken Takeover’s Founder and CEO. “Food Rescue US is leading the charge around food insecurity in our community and we’re incredibly grateful for their continued partnership this holiday season.”

Food Rescue US serves more than 40 locations in the United States, providing more than 10.3 million meals to Central Ohio residents since 2011.

“We are grateful for our partnership with Hot Chicken Takeover and their continued support of our efforts to end hunger and food waste throughout Columbus,” said Carol Shattuck, CEO of Food Rescue US. “Hot Chicken Takeover’s Pay It Forward campaign provides the opportunity to give back this holiday season and fuel our movement to address these important issues.”

Hot Chicken Takeover’s Pay it Forward program has grown each year with the addition of new restaurants and partnerships, providing more than 381,936 meals through the generosity of HCT’s customers since launching at North Market in 2016. Customers are encouraged to donate at any Central Ohio HCT restaurant location starting Monday, December 13. To learn more about their Pay it Forward program, visit hotchickentakeover.com.

The post Hot Chicken Takeover Partners with Food Rescue US – Columbus on Food Insecurity Initiative appeared first on Food Rescue US.

Working with Food Rescue US, Columbus families participating in Good Food for All will receive 50 servings of fruits and vegetables weekly for 12 weeks, providing each family member with at least two servings of produce per day. Nationally, the program will bring at least 10.3 million servings of high-quality fruits and vegetables to at least 17,250 families across 10 states in the Midwest. 

“Through Good Food for All, we’re providing emergency food to families who need it, but even more importantly, we’re also working to catalyze longer term, sustained access to affordable produce in retail,” said Nancy E. Roman, President and CEO of Partnership for a Healthier America. “By distributing good food in a way that builds a habit, and then learning more about what families like, we can help retailers meet that demand, ultimately driving food equity.”

“We’re incredibly excited to be partnering with the Good Food for All program,” said Susan Swinford, Columbus Co-Site Director at Food Rescue US. “We’re delighted to get high quality produce to families, of course, but we’re also grateful for the continued recognition that access to healthy food is crucial to the health of community members and communities generally. 

The Good Food for All boxes, sourced and assembled by Castellini Company, are intended to encourage more fruit and vegetable consumption in homes across the country while building a bridge to sustained access to affordable produce in retail. Good Food for All produce box distributions will begin this month in Omaha, Sioux Falls, Indianapolis, and Fort Wayne, with additional cities to be announced throughout the summer.

Click Here for Good Food for All Produce Box Artwork

A study of participants in the COVID-19 Fresh Food Fund found that the main barrier to eating more fruits and vegetables was cost: 91% of Rochester, New York, participants said they would buy more fruits and vegetables if they cost less. A majority of all participants said they were more likely to start eating more fruits and vegetables as a result of the Fresh Food Fund, suggesting there is significant unmet marketplace demand. Good Food for All aims to engage food retailers across the country by demonstrating the health and market value of making access to affordable, fresh food a reality for all families. Following the success of last year’s Fresh Food Fund, PHA recently announced a partnership with a Denver food co-op to bring affordable SNAP-eligible meal kits with fresh produce to local families.  

PHA is launching a fundraising campaign to coincide with the Good Food for All program to raise funds to bring fresh produce to families in need while creating longer term, sustained access to affordable produce in retail. 

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View our Impact Report HERE.

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