We have 1.4 million reasons why it’s important to work together if we are to achieve our common goals. The official numbers are in and the total pounds of food we rescued increased from 3 million to 4.4 million in just one year!
What does “rescuing” food involve? In short, we have agreements with food retailers, producers, and distributors to pick up, properly transport and store surplus food. Instead of that perfectly edible meat, produce, dairy, deli, dry goods and bulk product going to waste, we ensure it quickly gets into the hands (and bellies) of people who need help.
It’s only been in the last few years that the congruent topics of food waste and food rescue have sparked a nationwide discussion; yet, this concept is nothing new to the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano. Applying this logic of procuring excess food from retailers and giving it to people who don’t have enough to eat is how we started out over 40 years ago.
What was true in the 70’s is still true today — when food is safely and efficiently rescued, everyone wins: the retailers, the environment, and of course our hungry neighbors in need!
We extend our gratitude to the retailers listed below, Feeding America — the national network of food banks, our local certified partner agencies, and all of the wonderful volunteers that helped us with our largest one-year recovery effort to date!
Thank you to the following retailers who trust us with food-safe practices:
- Big Lots
- Costco
- FoodMaxx
- Foodsco
- Lucky
- Nob Hill
- Raley’s
- Safeway
- Sam’s Club
- Smart & Final
- Smart Food Service (previously Cash n’ Carry)
- Sprouts
- Target
- Trader Joe’s
- Walmart
- WinCo
