Cultivate Food Rescue
Cultivate Cares Food NetworkCultivate Food Rescue
Cultivate Cares Food Network
It’s been estimated that approximately 42 million people in the U.S. experienced food insecurity in the last year, meaning 1 in 8 Americans didn’t know where their next meal was coming from. This hunger problem comes at a time when it’s estimated Americans waste 40% of the food we produce. This food waste also comes with an environmental cost, making up the largest component of our landfills (21% of the total) and estimated to be responsible for 11% of our country’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Since 2017, Cultivate Food Rescue has been successfully fighting hunger and reducing food waste in our community by rescuing and redistributing food that has been prepared (but not served) by local restaurants, catering companies, universities and schools. Wishing to increase utilization of the perishable staples needed for a healthy, nutritious diet, they launched the Cultivate Cares Food Network (CCFN). The CCFN is a food pantry support system focused on providing local food pantries and soup kitchens with much needed perishable items including fresh fruit and vegetables, milk, and bread, at no cost to the pantries.
Cultivate submitted a grant request to the Foundation as they continue to build the infrastructure and logistics necessary to reroute existing food supplies. The Foundation, a previous Cultivate supporter, approved their grant citing the positive impact the free perishables would have on the health of those in need in the community.
