Universities
Food Recovery Network (FRN) is a nonprofit that unites students at colleges and universities, business leaders, and event planners to fight food waste and hunger by recovering perishable food that would otherwise go to waste and donating that food to hunger-fighting nonprofit organizations in their communities. To date, FRN's work has resulted in the recovery and
donation of 10.9 million pounds of surplus food, equivalent to 9 million meals served and over 4792 Metric Tons of CO2 emissions prevented.
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FRN has some fantastic opportunities for businesses, high school students and university students to get involved in making a real difference in their communities. Visit their website to learn more.
Sharing Excess believes that everyone should have access to the basic resources they need to live happy & healthy lives– especially when those same resources are going to waste by the billions. Not only does waste hurt our planet, but it's a missed opportunity for humanity. That's why they're committed to making it easier to share surplus in communities everywhere. Sharing Excess has 31 chapters across colleges, universities, and high schools, and is growing new chapters all across the country. Visit their website to learn more.
Swipe Out Hunger is the leading nonprofit addressing hunger among college students. They promote on-campus solutions, policy and advocacy pathways, and community building practices to address student hunger. They work closely with leaders on-the-ground to not only ensure today’s students have access to meals, but to also address student hunger upstream with sustainable legislation and policies. Their national movement spans more than 750 colleges in all 50 states and Canada and has enabled 12.3 million nutritious meals to date. Visit their website to learn more
ideas to get your campus involved
Have Food to Donate, but not sure who to
contact to pick up?
Food recovery organizations are a great resource to help donate surplus food from your university. Some organizations are:
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Food Recovery.org - Through our platform, we connect organizations with surplus food to communities in need, championing sustainability by diverting edible food away from landfills. All for free.
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Food Rescue US - Using our web-based app, we engage volunteers to transfer fresh food surpluses from local businesses to social service agencies serving the food insecure.
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Careit - Food donation and rescue software that makes it easy for businesses and institutions to donate surplus food and goods directly to local nonprofits.
Student food Waste Audit
Work with your dining hall to host a Weigh Your Waste Event. See Chapman University's detailed case study.
Show a Documentary
Just Eat It: Filmmakers Feast for 6 Months on Discarded Food
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Gather: intimate portrait of the growing movement amongst Native Americans to reclaim their spiritual, political and cultural identities through food.
Community Service
Glean : Get together a group to glean harvests on the farm through the Society of St. Andrew or other local gleaning organization.
Food Pantry: Volunteer some time to help at your campus or local food pantry.
Social Media
Create TikTok or Social Media Videos showing easy way to reduce food waste.
Host a Speaker
Host a speaker event or hear from a community partner about food waste. Need ideas? Reach out to hello@foodwastepreventionweek.com.
For an extensive list of food rescue organizations, please visit:
University of Florida Pilot
To kick off Earth Month, University of Florida Sustainability, Athletic Student Government, Food Recovery Network, City of Gainesville and local community organizations collaborate for Food Waste Prevention Week April 1-7, 2024.
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Goals of campaign:
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Food waste is a solvable problem. Raise awareness and inspire action to prevent food waste.
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Influence peers to join in events to serve the community by saving food and improving food access.
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Students will have the opportunity to engage in a variety of volunteer opportunities at the farm, food bank, farmer's market, on campus and virtually to learn the value of our food.
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Bread of the Mighty Food Bank
325 NW 10th Ave, Gainesville
Volunteers must Pre-Register Here
Grove Street Farmers Market
Cypress & Grove Brewery/Bike Path, 1001 NW 4th St, Gainesville
Register Here
UF Field + Fork Farm Tour
**CANCELLED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER**
College of Agricultural and Life Sciences 1062 Museum Drive | Bldg. 503