UPDATE: Food Rescue US-Miami was just named one of the TOP FIVE Finalists for the Inspire305 Grant by the United Way of Miami-Dade. VOTE using this link 1X a day until May 15th and help us win the award.

Did you know that 40% of all food is wasted? Yet, 1 in 7 people go to bed hungry. Food waste is a real issue here in Florida and all across the world. Decomposing food in landfills actually contributes to global warming and sea-level rise as 25% of all methane gas produced comes from decomposing food.

As a matter of fact, food waste reduction is one of the TOP THREE ways to reverse the effects of climate change*

On this Earth Day, here is how you can help your community end food waste, feed the homeless and help reverse the effects of climate change.

One year ago, Ellen Bowen, Managing Director and Editor of MIAbites, heard many chefs lamenting about the abundance of wasted food in Miami and decided to do something. She discovered that no organized program of food rescue existed to direct transfer perfectly good food to the many homeless and food insecure.

After researching and finding few options, she partnered with Food Rescue US, a National 501c3 non-profit, to launch Food Rescue Miami in February of 2018. Using technology, they had developed an app that connects donors with shelters, and the volunteers who do the “food rescue”.

Using the Food Rescue US app technology FRUS-Miami has rescued over 400 times in the Miami area, rescued 116,000 lbs. of food which using USDA industry standard calculations equates to about 97,000 meals and $200,000 in donations. Over 80 volunteers are registered to do rescues from over 30 donors to over 10 receiving agencies.

The Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Law enacted by President Bill Clinton in 1996 allows for food to be donated in good faith without liability to the donor.

The app lists each available rescue and the matching receiving agency, and volunteers claim the rescues on the app.

Donations range from unused or unsold prepared food from buffets, pre-packaged sandwiches, salads, fruit cups, bread and rolls, canned and boxed non-perishables and baked goods.

Current food donors include Whole Foods, Centerplate at Hard Rock Stadium, The Fontainebleau, The 1 Hotel, Stubborn Seed, Starbucks, Bird & Bone at The Confidante Hotel, Brava by Brad Kilgore at The Arsht All Day, and events like Taste of The Nation, Hamburger House Party, and March of Dimes gala. Food Rescue Miami partnered with FIU students for massive food rescues at SOBEWFF.

For 2018, Centerplate at Hard Rock Stadium alone donated over 24,000 lbs. of food equating to almost 20,000 meals after every home football game, and over 4000 lbs. after last month’s Miami Open. Since every rescue is recorded on the app, each donor receives a letter outlining their donations for tax purposes.

Volunteer rescuers currently number 80 registered with a total of 10-12 regular weekly pickups scheduled. And a passionate team are available for large event rescues. Most rescues take an hour or less door to door.

Current agencies receiving the donations include Miami Rescue Mission, Camillus House, Lotus House Shelter for Women and Children , Sisters of Mother Teresa Emergency Shelter and Enriched Foods.

So, don’t just eat that delicious food, commit to an hour a week and give back to your community and help reverse the effects of climate change while helping feed those less fortunate.

JOIN US! Download the Food Rescue US app and register as a donor, rescuer or receiving agency partner. Let’s Feed People Not Landfills! Reduce Reuse Recycle Rescue

Check out our gallery below for pictures from recent food rescues in Miami.

CONTACT: Ellen Bowen- ellen@ctbites.com

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*Project Drawdown