A Closer Look at Where OFS Sources Rescued Food
This spring, students at Washington University in St. Louis looked at the unused meal points sitting in their dining accounts and saw an opportunity. Rather than letting those points expire, they were able to donate them through the Good Vibes Food Drive and turn meal points into meals for the community. The university’s Dining Services, working with food services manager Sodexo, used those points to donate more than 46,000 pounds of shelf-stable food to OFS — roughly 55,000 meals.
“The passion, dedication, and generosity demonstrated by our students, team, and campus partners made this initiative a tremendous success,” says Tiffany De La Roche’, director for Dining Services at Washington University in St. Louis. “Seeing everyone come together to help neighbors facing food insecurity was both inspiring and rewarding.”
It’s a creative solution to hunger, and creativity has been at the heart of Operation Food Search’s work from the beginning.
OFS has its origins in food rescue, starting in the late 1970s as an effort to get excess produce from grocery stores into the hands of people facing hunger. More than 45 years later, we remain true to our roots as a rescue food bank. In addition to our search for innovative ways of reducing food insecurity in the long term, a great deal of our work is centered around meeting the immediate need for food in our community. That means getting food from farms, grocers, manufacturers, and restaurants onto the dinner tables of people who need it — before it goes to waste.
According to the United Nations Environment Programme, one trillion dollars’ worth of food is thrown away every year. That’s 30% to 40% of the global food supply. As daunting a number as that is, there is great work being done to reduce food waste. On the federal level, the USDA and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have set a goal to cut our nation’s food waste by 50% by the year 2030. Consumers are becoming more aware of the importance of not wasting food, as well, and businesses are intentional in their efforts to divert food to organizations like Operation Food Search.
Some of our biggest food donors, such as Schnucks and Dierbergs, are well known to our community. But many people may not be aware of the variety of businesses that donate food to us in support of our mission to heal hunger.
A Long History of Breaking Bread
Food manufacturers have been a part of the solution for a long time. Pepperidge Farm (and parent company Campbell’s) has been donating bread to Operation Food Search for more than 25 years. Representatives from Pepperidge Farm bring back excess product from grocery stores to their warehouse, and OFS drivers pick up the bread twice a week.
“I’m proud that through Pepperidge Farm, I’m able to help donate snacks and bread to those in need,” says Richard Robinson, Fenton depot manager. “Seeing our products go beyond the shelf and make a difference for families is incredibly rewarding.”
Beyond the Basics
OFS is grateful for a large number of new partnerships, as well. Ronnoco Beverage Solutions, a national brand based in St. Louis, dates back to the 1904 World’s Fair. Today, the company donates coffee to OFS, providing a commodity rarely available to people working to stretch their grocery budgets. “Coffee becomes a luxury item when you’re unsure where your next meal is coming from,” says Sasha Thomas, OFS agency advocate. “Our partner agencies are glad to be able to provide it to the community when they can.”
Another St. Louis-based company, rootberry, is now donating frozen plant-based meals to OFS. The opportunity to offer a variety of food for different nutritional preferences is key to our ability to serve diverse needs.
“At rootberry, we believe everyone deserves access to food that is both nutritious and genuinely enjoyable,” says Theron Pajares, operations lead at rootberry. “Partnering with Operation Food Search allows us to help reduce food waste while getting wholesome, high-quality meals into the hands of people who need them most.”
From Stadium to Table
Even a night at the ballpark plays a part. Thanks to partnerships with Delaware North, which operates at Busch Stadium, and Levy Restaurants, which operates at The Dome and Energizer Park, surplus food from major events regularly makes its way through our distribution system to local families.
Donating food requires commitment and effort from these venues, but the value of doing so is clear to our partners. “It never hurts to help for one day,” says Justin Warren, warehouse manager at The Dome at America’s Center. “It might be you that needs help.”
Good for People and the Planet
By donating to OFS, these generous organizations and businesses are doing good for people and the planet, helping provide food to neighbors while reducing the impact of food waste.
Unfortunately, rising food and transportation costs have impacted OFS’s supply of rescued and donated food. “Even though fuel costs for rescuing food have increased by more than 30% over last year, Operation Food Search has remained committed to getting donated food to families in need,” says OFS Director of In-Kind Donations Matt Kasate.
In spite of the challenges, OFS and its food rescue partners are continuing the work to reduce food waste and ensure individuals and families have the food they need to thrive.
So, the next time you’re enjoying a hot dog at a Cardinals game, know that when the final inning ends, the good food left behind won’t go to waste — it’s headed for a table right here in our community.
Does your business or organization have surplus food? Join the companies helping us keep good food out of landfills and on local tables. Contact Matt Kasate at matt.kasate@operationfoodsearch.org or visit operationfoodsearch.org to learn more about becoming a food donor.
