Is there really food insecurity in Greenwich, Connecticut?
The answer is “yes"! Over 20% of children in the Greenwich Public School System receive free and reduced lunches. 1 in 5 children according to a recent UCONN Study.
Food Rescue US works with five social service agencies in Greenwich that help residents with food insecurity including: Neighbor to Neighbor, Community Centers Inc. of Greenwich, Greenwich Boys & Girls Club, Kids in Crisis and Pathways.
What is Food Insecurity?
Food insecurity means you lack reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food. Nearly 1 in 4 households in the United States have experienced food insecurity in 2020. Even before the pandemic hit, some 13.7 million households, or 10.5% of all U.S. households, experienced food insecurity at some point during 2019.
What is food waste's impact on the environment?
Currently, food waste is contributing 8 percent of total global greenhouse gas emissions. According to Project Drawdown, reducing food waste by 50% by 2050 would result in 26.2 gigatons of avoided CO2e.
Which Businesses Donate Food in Greenwich?
On a weekly basis Food Rescue US picks up fresh excess food from these organizations that donate food 1-7 times per week, helping to end hunger and food waste improving our environment: Whole Foods Greenwich, Stop & Shop, Kings, Aux Delices, Something Natural Bakery, Cobs Bread, Upper Crust Bagels, Sound Beach Pizza, Raphael's Bakery.
There are many types of food donors: Grocery stores, Restaurants, Hospitals, Schools, Performing Arts & Sports Arenas, Farms, Farmers’ Market, Corporate Dining Facilities, Catering Companies, Hotels & Convention Centers.
If you are a business with a surplus of food or a 501c3 organization that wants to receive food, please contact Danielle Blaine, Fairfield County Site Director 800-280-3298 x10 or email Danielle@Foodrescue.us
How Do I get involved?
Our model empowers communities to serve themselves with the support of our mobile friendly site. All participants in our work are members of the communities that we serve, including our food donors, rescuers, and agency partners.
Our site will guide you to available rescues by day, time, or location. Once you’ve signed-up, you will see instructions on where to pick-up the food and deliver it, along with any other details you need to complete the rescue. We currently have 192 food rescuers in Greenwich. It is great community service for students (hours can be tracked), retirees, empty nesters or anyone who has 30 minutes to help Fill Plates, Not Landfills.
Join Food Rescue in making a positive impact on local food insecurity and our environment. Visit their website for more information or to sign up as a food rescuer at Foodrescue.us