At Waste Not, we’re creating sustainable food systems that help people and the planet flourish. We do this by eliminating food waste and hunger through innovative community partnerships. Significant resources, time, and dollars go into growing nutritious food. Yet, every year in the United States, 40% of this food is sent to the landfill, resulting in over 63 million tons of waste. This happens for several reasons, including overproduction, a lack of resources to transport food where it’s needed most, confusing freshness and expiration labels, as well as blemished produce that doesn’t exactly meet retailer’s high cosmetic standards. The health and well-being of our community and the planet pay the price! Food waste is more than just a half-eaten apple thrown in the trash. From the lost natural resources used to grow the food to the irretrievable dollars associated with transporting and delivering it, the impact of this waste has destructive consequences on our environment and economy. Meanwhile, as food is being thrown out, nearly 1 million people in Arizona are struggling with food insecurity. We have the power to transform this broken system. Here in Arizona, we are reimagining what is possible for food rescue. By connecting perishable food to those in need, Waste Not reduces environmental waste and connects 75,000 individuals with healthy meals each year. To see Waste Not in action, check out a short introductory video here: https://youtu.be/NqYb-xleKhw
