This Earth Month, Support Feeding People, Not Landfills
Taking climate action is more important than ever. By supporting Feeding San Diego, you are protecting people and the planet. That’s because 70% of the food we distribute is rescued, meaning it is perfectly good, edible surplus food that would have otherwise ended up in a landfill. Thanks to our innovative business model, that food instead feeds people. Feed People, Not Landfills is not just a campaign during Earth Month, it’s a motto that our organization follows year-round.
Our mission is to end hunger through food rescue. Every day, we work with our partners to source food that might otherwise go to waste to get it to people in need. Extra strawberries? We’ll take them. Too much squash? We can find a use for it. It’s up to us to be the connector and figure out the supply chain for rescued food. Currently, we manage 776 pickups a week between community partners (faith-based organizations, other non-profits, etc.) and grocery stores. Last year, our organization distributed over 27 million pounds of rescued food.
It’s Now the Law
This past January, Senate Bill 1383 went into effect. Originally passed in 2016, this California law was enacted to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants, which contribute to global warming and affect human health. SB 1383 has implications for both households and businesses.
Food donors must recover the maximum amount of edible food by donating surplus food rather than composting or throwing it out and must also arrange for food recovery through a contract or written agreement with food recovery organizations (such as Feeding San Diego). This law validates the work our organization has been doing for the past 15 years and will make food rescue commonplace in households and businesses, leading to systemic change for the future.
Mayor Todd Gloria and Patty O’Connor, Feeding San Diego’s Chief Supply Officer, at the Climate Press Conference at Miramar Landfill
Get Involved This Earth Month
April is Earth Month, and the theme is “Invest in Our Planet.” As climate action remains in the spotlight, supporting Feeding San Diego is just one way to show your support for a sustainable future. Here are ways you can get involved:
Price Philanthropies Match up to $75,000 l April 18-30
At the end of the month, your gift provides twice as much fresh produce to those facing hunger thanks to a generous match from Price Philanthropies. Mark your calendars!
Volunteer
Volunteers are a crucial part of our mission at Feeding San Diego. We rely on those willing to donate their time to our cause. We have many volunteer opportunities at our Sorrento Valley headquarters. In addition, you can volunteer at other locations in the community or even remotely. We also count on MealConnect drivers to pick up food from food donors and deliver it to our community partners. Learn more about available volunteer shifts here.
Free Film Screening of Wasted! The Story of Food Waste Thursday, April 21 from 6 – 8 PM
Join us for a screening of “Wasted! The Story of Food Waste,” a documentary produced by the late Anthony Bourdain that showcases the creative things famous chefs are doing with food to eliminate food waste. Learn how food waste is directly contributing to climate change and how each of us can play a part in solving one of the greatest problems of the 21st century. Register here.
Two Girl Scouts with Climate Controller patches at an Earth Month volunteer shift
Climate Controller Food Rescue Patch
A joint effort between Feeding San Diego, Girl Scouts San Diego, and SOLV Energy, the Climate Controller Food Rescue patch educates Girl Scouts about the linkage between food waste and climate change, in order to inspire them to become “Climate Controllers” through food rescue.
Girl Scouts can volunteer at Feeding San Diego anytime to earn their patch, and there are also three dedicated shifts for Girl Scouts during the month of April:
Thursday, April 14 from 3:30-5:30 PM
Monday, April 18 from 6-8 PM
Saturday, April 30 from 9-11 AM
