Food Recovery

Rescuing food from landfills for human consumption

 

Working Group Goal

Due to widely varying interpretations and enforcement of state-level food safety regulations at the local level, leftover prepared foods that could be legally and safely donated and consumed are instead entering landfills.

Last year, a group of local food councils – including the Asheville-Buncombe Food Policy Council, the Cabarrus Farm & Food Council, the Carteret Food & Health Council, the Chatham Community Food Council, the Davidson Food Network, the Greater High Point Food Alliance, the Guilford County Food Council, and the Orange County Food Policy Council – reached out to the NC Local Food Council (NCLFC) with an issue they were noticing that was affecting food recovery efforts in their communities.  

The local food councils highlighted confusion within the communities and local health departments and identified the need for clarity around the rules and regulations that provide the framework for prepared food recovery activities for human consumption.

In response to the local food councils’ request for support, NCLFC formed a Food Waste Recovery Working Group including members from state and local councils to better understand the challenges regarding prepared food recovery policy, and to identify the next steps to improve prepared food recovery outcomes. 

What is Food Recovery

and Why is it Important?

What is Food Recovery?

Food recovery, also called food rescue, is the practice of gleaning wholesome food for human consumption that would otherwise not be used and go to waste from institutions such as restaurants, dining facilities (businesses, hospitals, cafeterias, etc.), grocery stores, markets, etc. and donating that food to vetted nonprofit agencies able to feed clients in their community.

What are Prepared Foods?

Prepared and ready-to-eat foods are regulated in North Carolina by county health departments under statewide rules adopted by the Dairy and Food Protection Branch of the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) Environmental Health Section’s Food Protection Program applies the NC Food Code and provides support to local health departments in enforcing those regulations. Prepared and ready-to-eat foods are any meal, food, or beverage to which a retailer has added value or has altered its state (other than solely by cooling) by preparing, combining, dividing, heating, or serving, in order to make the food or beverage available for immediate human consumption.

What are Unserved Prepared Foods?

Unserved prepared and ready-to-eat foods are prepared foods that have not passed into the hands of a consumer. Foods that have passed into the possession of consumers fall under a different set of regulatory guidelines for recovery.

“I am seeing that one grocery store’s food waste along with food recovery from farms feeds over 200 families per day.”

- The Unserved Prepared Food Recovery Survey

“More individuals have access to more food because the food is donated rather than discarded.”

- The Unserved Prepared Food Recovery Survey

Why is Unserved Prepared Food Not Recovered?

Committee Resources

NCLFC Food Recovery Working Group Podcast

Description:
In this episode, Ellen Shumaker joins Rob Anderson for a conversation on the impactful work she is doing at NC State. From food recovery initiatives to statewide support programs, Ellen shares her journey and expertise in shaping resources for North Carolina’s citizens. Learn about the history of Cooperative Extension, its mission, and how the NC State Extension team is making a difference in communities across the state.

Topics Covered:

  • Introduction to Ellen’s Background and Role
    Ellen discusses her education, career path, and the meaningful work she does today with NC State Cooperative Extension. Learn more about Ellen Shumaker.

  • Understanding Cooperative Extension
    Explore the history, purpose, and goals of Cooperative Extension and how it serves as a bridge between NC State and the community, providing valuable resources and support. Learn more about NC State Extension.

  • NC State Extension’s Programs and Resources
    An overview of the NC State Extension team’s work and the various resources available to North Carolina citizens, focusing on food systems, health, and wellness.

  • Developing the Food Recovery Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
    A look into the purpose, development, and impact of the Food Recovery SOPs, aimed at reducing waste and promoting food recovery across the state. Learn more about the Food Recovery Initiative.

  • Role of the NCLFC Workgroup and Future Directions
    Learn about the North Carolina Local Food Council (NCLFC) workgroup’s support for the food recovery SOPs and next steps in reducing food waste.

Learn More:

Other Websites and Resources

Food Program: North Carolina Food Law

Learn more about how prepared and ready-to-eat foods are regulated in North Carolina by county health departments under statewide rules that were adopted by the Dairy and Food Protection Branch of the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Don’t Waste Food SC

A program in South Carolina that provides resources and information to community stakeholders interested in engaging in prepared food recovery and food waste prevention activities as a way to increase awareness and overall recovery activities. Elements of this program could potentially be adapted to suit North Carolina.

NC Food Protection Program

The mission of the Food Protection Program is to reduce the risk of food-borne illness and other communicable diseases by ensuring reasonable protection by providing progressive leadership, resources, and education for the promotion of public health, safety and confidence for the people.

Use the Food NC

This food waste prevention program from the NC Department of Environmental Quality aims to share resources with consumers, government entities, and businesses to reduce the social, environmental, and financial impacts of food waste.