Every day across the U.S. unbelievable quantities of good food goes to waste when so many of our neighbors face hunger. Help us rescue that food and get it to [our food partners] who will put it to good use feeding families [in Guilford County]!
-Feeding America
FAQs
What is food recovery/rescue?
Food rescue is the collection of wholesome edible food that would have otherwise gone to waste from restaurants, grocers, and other food service providers. This food is redistributed to vetted local hunger agencies, all while keeping it out of landfills.
Is food waste really that bad?
Yes. Wasted food is worth $165 billion every year. This can also be translated as 40 billion meals being wasted. We already produce more than enough food, we just need to stop wasting 30% of it.
Who is the food delivered to?
Local shelters, food pantries, and community nonprofits are individually vetted to receive food donations.
Can I receive weekly pickup? How about one time pickup?
Yes and yes! We will work to develop a schedule that specifically meets your needs.
What about packaging?
Food is packaged safely per our approved Standard Operating Procedures.
What is your relationship to A Simple Gesture?
We are collaborating with A Simple Gesture to work towards our shared goal of providing food to our hungry community.
I really love how decreasing food waste helps our environment. Can you give me more information?
Sure. Food waste produces Methane Gas which is 25x more potent than Carbon Dioxide. Food waste is expensive and causes more damage than the car in your driveway. These groups are amazing Food Waste warriors:
ReFed https://refed.com
NRDC https://www.nrdc.org
WWF https://www.worldwildlife.org/initiatives/food-waste
Are you a partner of Feeding America's Second Harvest?
Yes. RePurpose partners with Second Harvest to assist in the safe and successful distribution of perishable food items to the many community nonprofits in need.
Donors and Volunteers
Donors: If you are a restaurant, school, hospital, special event center, caterer, etc with a surplus of food that would end up as waste, we would love to partner with you (small or large).
Volunteers: If you would like to help us get surplus food to vetted agencies, we would love for you to volunteer with us.
Please fill out the “Contact Laura” form or email Laura if you are interested in being a Donor or Volunteer. We look forward to hearing from you!
Contact Laura
NEWS & INFORMATION
REPURPOSE SIGNS U.S. FOOD LOSS & WASTE POLICY ACTION PLAN
This policy sets forth national and international goals to reduce food loss and waste by 50% by 2030! Addressing this challenge nationally will help us locally build a more resilient food system that helps mitigate climate change and feeds more people.
To find out more, visit https://foodwasteactionplan.org
NCSU FOOD SAFETY EXTENSION PROGRAM
In November 2021, the NC Governor approved $62.5k for the NCSU Food Safety Extension Program to develop state supported Standard Operating Procedures and training to recover unserved prepared food to reduce food waste. The funding can be found on page 89 (aka B-63) of this enormous document.
BILL EMERSON GOOD SAMARITAN FOOD DONATION ACT (1996)
RePurpose is in support of new Amendments being proposed for the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act. These proposed Amendments will clarify the 25+ years old Emerson Act that is at times unclear. Food manufacturers, retailers, and restaurants remain afraid of legal liability and often cite fear of liability as the main reason they don’t donate food. This results in perfectly viable food being wasted instead of giving to those in need. Change.org presents the following petition to sign.
REPURPOSE IS PART OF REFED’S FOOD WASTE MGMT INSIGHTS ENGINE
ReFed has compiled a state-by-state directory of food loss, waste, management and recovery solution providers. Check it out!
ANAEROBIC DIGESTION: FOOD WASTE TO ENERGY
by Dr. Vicki Foust
Anaerobic Digestion Presentation
Find out how anaerobic digestions contributes to the following:
Reducing food waste in the landfill
Generating electricity or heat
Creating a nitrogen and phosphorus rich soil amendment used to grow more food
MAXIE B’S SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAM
by Robin Davis, Owner
Watch Robin discuss Maxie B’s Sustainability Program – how it started, small changes they’ve made along the way to help the environment and how it’s going presently.
You can also visit Maxis B’s Environmental Stewardship page to learn more.
What Our Community is Saying About ASG Food Recovery/RePurpose
"This has provided food that we have not had to purchase so we can use our funds in other ways."
- Impact Church
"We have been able to provide 5 nights a week because of this involvement."
- Rankin UMC
"If we did not have the assistance of your program, we could not feed as many people and service other entities like we do."
- Nehemiah CEC
"The cooked food is also more conveniently served and makes it possible for our seniors to more easily get the nutrition that they need each day."
- Victorious Life Church
"I am also giving food to (Congolese) folks who have moved into a house beside our church. I have received so many thank you's."
- Rocky Knoll Baptist Church
"This program means the world to us...we have thousands of homeless children in Guilford County thousands of families who do not qualify for food stamps and other assistance."
- Oak Grove AME