Food Recovery Network (FRN) has recovered more than 100,000 pounds of surplus food through its partnership with Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center. It also reported more than 14,000 pounds recovered from two major Bay Area tailgate events.
The nonprofit works with college students, food suppliers, businesses, and event partners. Together, they recover surplus food and deliver it to local groups serving people experiencing hunger.
Gaylord partnership passes 100,000 pounds
FRN and Gaylord National began their official partnership in June 2023. Since then, FRN has picked up surplus food from Gaylord National every other week.
The partnership has recovered more than 100,000 pounds of surplus food. That amount has supported 10 local hunger relief partners in the greater Washington, D.C., area.
On average, Gaylord National’s culinary team saves about 1,200 pounds of excess prepared food every two weeks. The food comes from meetings and events held at the resort and convention center.
“Food recovery is essential to reaching our sustainability goals,” says Ryan Verhulst, hotel manager at Gaylord National. “As part of the Marriott family, we have an emphasis on nurturing our world and reducing our environmental footprint. This includes decreasing our food waste and increasing our contribution to our community.”
Big Game events add Bay Area impact
FRN also recovered 14,090.37 pounds of surplus food from two Big Game tailgate events in Santa Clara, California. The recovery provided the equivalent of 11,681 meals to Bay Area organizations.
The food came from Guy Fieri’s Flavortown Tailgate and The Players Tailgate. FRN has worked with Bullseye Events Group for six years on food recovery at The Players Tailgate. In addition, FRN partnered with Hellmann’s Mayonnaise for the second year at Flavortown Tailgate.
The Bay Area effort supported Delancey Street Foundation, Loaves & Fishes Family Kitchen, and Hunger at Home.
FRN says the recovery also prevented 8.83 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions. It also saved 1.66 million gallons of water.
Event food recovery ties waste to community need
Food recovered from the Bay Area events included soups, sauces, produce, dairy, snack items, sausage, chicken, burgers, beef, bacon, and other prepared food.
Student chapter members and alumni from the University of San Francisco and San Francisco State University helped with the recovery work.
Regina Harmon, chief executive officer of FRN, says surplus food recovery requires coordination, volunteers, vehicles, packaging supplies, and food-safety equipment.
“We depend on donors’ support to ensure that high-quality food does not go to waste and helps feed individuals experiencing hunger in communities across the United States,” Harmon says.
About Food Recovery Network
Food Recovery Network (FRN) is a student-led food recovery organization that works with more than 8,000 college students, food suppliers, farmers, and local businesses across the United States. The organization recovers surplus food and donates it to local nonprofit organizations serving people experiencing hunger. For more info, visit www.foodrecoverynetwork.org.
Press release submitted by Dittoe Public Relations on behalf of Food Recovery Network. Edited by Exhibit City News for clarity, length, and style.
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