Just about 5 years ago, MIAbites founder and editor, Ellen Bowen, decided that it was time to turn her love and respect for Miami’s chefs and food community into something meaningful.

There is a saying that your life is divided into thirds;

The first third you LEARN

The second third you EARN

And the third third you RETURN…which is how Food Rescue US South Florida was born… to RETURN to those less fortunate food that would’ve gone to waste and instead is redirected to food insecure families, homeless and to communities defined as “food deserts”.

Since 2018, Food Rescue US South Florida has returned over 8.0 million lbs. of food, or enough food to provide for 7.3 million meals to local shelters, pantries, soup kitchens and faith-based organizations. Keeping food from landfills actually helps the environment, as decomposing food produces methane gas, the most harmful of all greenhouse gases, which impacts our climate.

Using a web-based app, food donations are posted and matched to a receiving agency, and volunteers claim the pick-up and drop off. With over 200 food donors including markets, hotels, stadiums, and restaurants, 87 receiving agency partners and 1200 volunteers, our program has grown from a small grassroots initiative to an important program making a difference in so many lives every day.

This week begins Early Giving for Give Miami Day, with final giving culminating on Thursday , November 16th.

We hope you will consider making a donation to our program, which is 100% self-funded with Give Miami Day being the main fundraiser for all of our programs, food rescues, and food distribution “farmers markets”.

You can visit our Food Rescue South Florida page here:

https://www.givemiamiday.org/organization/Food-Rescue-Us-South-Florida

Or scan the bar code to be directed directly to the FRUS- South Florida page.

Thank you for your support for Food Rescue US and for the Miami community!