DECEMBER 15, 2015 BY
According to the Food Recovery Network 150,000 pounds of food are wasted in restaurants and 133 billion pounds across the nation (EPA, 2015) annually, while 50 million Americans are food insecure (1 in 5 children). The Food Recovery Network’s mission is to “shift the norm from food waste to food recovery.” Food businesses (restaurants, grocery stores, hotels, hospitals, caterers, farms, farmers markets, and college dining halls) that donate their surplus food on a monthly basis to hunger-fighting non-profits may be eligible to become certified.
Once certified, your business will receive a Food Recovery Certified window sticker and website decal, resources and support in maintaining your food recovery program, and publicity through the Food Recovery Network’s social media accounts and website. Not only will this improve the moral of your employees, but “91% of consumers are likely to switch to brands associated with a good cause, given comparable price and quality” and “81% of consumers around the world want companies to address key social and environmental issues”. The Food Recovery Network also helps eligible C-corporations receive enhanced tax deductions for their donations and the 1996 Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Act provides protection for all food donors from cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct. To learn more, visit the Food Recovery Network website or apply here.
Colorado Mountain College Steamboat Springs joined the Food Recovery Network in March 2015 and became Food Recovery Certified in November. Since March, CMC has donated 2,000 pounds of food from the Neas Dining Hall to Lift-Up. For more information on CMC’s food recovery efforts or to volunteer, check out their Facebook page or contact Cameron Poole (Cameron.Poole@sodexo.com).
