Hope of the Harvest: Hunger No Longer

Sustainable Food Recovery Programs:Redirecting Excess Food to the Needy

through Innovation and Creativity

Steven M. FinnManaging Director, ResponsEcology

Hope of the Harvest: Hunger No Longer

Sustainable Food Recovery Programs:Redirecting Excess Food to the Needy

through Innovation and Creativity

ResponsEcology

Meaningful StatisticsAn estimated 50% of food lost from field to fork(Lundqvist, SIWI Policy Brief, 2008)

The UN estimates that one third of all food produced annually – 1.3 billion tons – is lost or wasted throughout the food supply chain(Gustavson, et al., www.fao.org , 2011)

Worldwide, 925 million hungry people in 2010(www.worldhunger.org)

And…1 in 6 Americans are food insecure

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Food Waste in Context

• 1.3 billion tons wasted annually globally• Empire State building wt: 365,000 tons• Translation?

• In the United States:• Daily food waste would fill the Rose Bowl• Bloom, American Wasteland, 2010

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Causes of Food Waste - Farm to Table:• Imperfect weather• Pests• Damage from machinery• Blemishes/irregular sizes• Improper handling• Improper temperature control• Compliance with regulations (sell-by dates)• Conversion of raw food into other products• Overstocking/incorrect stock rotations• Package and label damage• Excessive portions• Over-preparation and expanded menu choices • Cooking losses and spillage

(Kantor, et al., 1997, www.ers.usda.gov)

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The Challenge

• We have excess food which goes to waste ( a social and environmental problem), and…

• We have a great need for the nutrients in that wasted food (“quality” calories to support a healthy lifestyle)

We can’t afford the waste….innovative solutions are needed

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The Role of Innovation and Creativity

• We need programs to reduce food waste by capturing the excess and efficiently redirecting it to the needy, and they must be lasting

• That’s where innovation and creativity come into play…– Connect the dots– Create partnerships– Solve logistical challenges– Success can breed success

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My Efforts in our Region

• Volunteered to help a food bank• Surveyed farmers in tri-county area• Reviewed logistical issues for gleaning and

donation programs• Contacted farmers; built relationships• Developed pilot projects• Developed recommendations for charitable

food organizations

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Survey Results• 40% of respondents stated they periodically have excess

amounts of nutritious produce (not just one-time)• That excess occurs throughout the growing season• 27% of respondents stated they would consider

donating/selling their excess to a food bank• 33% of respondents would allow the food bank to arrange a

gleaning crew if no liability to them• 60% of respondents have donated to food banks and pantries

in the past• 33% of respondents have greenhouse operations (i.e.

potential for year-round donations)

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Logistical issues/potential barriers

• Farmers are busy• You get one shot• Establish/nurture relationship• Accommodate the farmer’s schedule• Communicate the win/win (tax deductions, good

press, social mission, etc.)• Adhere to all commitments; reliability is key• Timeliness is critical• Overcome liability concerns• Strong organizational efforts needed

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A Vertically Integrated Approach

• Kingsbury Farm (VT) – Vermont Food Bank - a more innovative approach

• 22 acre farm – partnership• VTFB leases to farm couple• Farmers commit to producing 30,000 lbs. of

fresh produce for the VTFB’s network• Farmers have access to land, buildings,

equipment; keep all revenue from sales of produce beyond the 30,000 lb. commitment

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Lessons from Kingsbury Farm• Incentive to produce efficiently• Social mission• Manage land in a sustainable way (for future

farmers)• Met with food pantries, produce crops which

are:– Highly desired by constituents– High in nutrition content– Long-lasting

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More lessons from Kingsbury Farm

• Little food waste; culled crops used• Farmers communicate with food shelves;

produce and harvest according to what they can handle (plan production for efficiency)

• Train interns• Triple bottom line in action

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Linking Farmers, Community, and Food Organizations

• Establish relationships; help farmers• Website to promote linkage• Build on successful pilots• Increase Partnerships• Eliminate redundancy – promote local• Recognize the power of the individual• Recognition and Reward

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A Challenge to Graduates

Environmentalist Paul Hawken:

You will have to “figure out what it means to be a human being on earth at a time when every living system is declining, and the rate of decline is accelerating.”

Hawken, 2009 Commencement Address

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Questions?

• For additional information, please contact Steven M. Finn at info@responsecology.com

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