Food Recovery Program
Rethink Your Actions. Recycle Food. Renew Resources.
The FOOD Pantry Serving Waukesha County's Food Recovery Program reduces hunger by gleaning unspoiled perishable food from local businesses and farmers and distributing it to people in need. Recovered healthy food such as fresh produce, lean protein, and whole grains can help people stretch their household budget instead of ending up in landfills or otherwise going to waste.
How Food Recovery Works
The FOOD Pantry Serving Waukesha County collects perishable and shelf stable foods from food purveyors, manufacturers, growers, caterers, and restaurants. Our mission is to foster and promote the recovery and safe distribution of good food that otherwise would be wasted.
The Food Recovery Program operations include:
- managing relationships with food suppliers
- ensuring food safety
- coordinating the transportation, storage, and distribution of recovered food.
Each weekday, volunteer van drivers pick up and deliver donated food from local businesses including Target, Aldi, Trader Joe's, Pick 'n Save and more, to The FOOD Pantry's warehouse. There, donated items are sorted and redistributed via The FOOD Pantry shelves, and other basic needs agencies including:
- area shelters
- low income and special assistance housing units
- outreach programs
- food pantries
- community meal programs
We have developed an infrastructure and the relationships necessary to provide local businesses with a reliable and efficient system to donate quality food. Our operation has grown to include even more businesses, hunger-fighting agencies, and volunteers to ensure we recover as much food as possible and distribute it to the greatest number of people.
To learn more about The FOOD Pantry Serving Waukesha County’s Food Recovery Program please contact the Food Resource Manager, or call 262-522-2374.
