Hudson becomes regional hub of food rescue nonprofit; Help needed to salvage grocery, restaurant waste in fight against food insecurity

by Maddy Holman

Food Rescue US, a national nonprofit based out of Stamford, Connecticut, has made its way to Hudson. The local branch aims to engage community members in food salvage, according to site director and Hudson resident Katie Evans.

The organization is the first of its kind in the area, with existing Ohio locations in Cincinnati, Columbus and Dayton. Volunteers will support Food Rescue US by collecting fresh, healthy food from businesses that would have otherwise let these products go to waste, Evan said.

According to Food Rescue US, up to 40% of U.S. food supply gets thrown out needlessly. Meanwhile, Feeding America reports that 12.5% of the population in Summit County alone lacks access to enough food for an active, healthy life. Evans said she has joined forces with Kim Johnson of Wadsworth to change that. Their combined backgrounds in education and technology have made them a power couple in bringing the national nonprofit to the Greater Akron region.

“I was drawn to the dual purpose of helping alleviate the food insecurity issue in Summit County as well as helping to solve the food waste problem of the United States as a whole, and the impact that food waste has on climate change,” said Evans. Currently, she said, food waste contributes 8% of total global greenhouse gas emissions.

Evans began working with the national organization after discovering the simple, user-friendly way it welcomes and encourages volunteers through the Food Rescue US app.

“The app is scalable and sustainable,” said Evans, “and it’s a simple way for whole families to volunteer.”

Evans explained that she has four daughters, and the family prefers to volunteer their time as a unit, which is easy to do on the Food Rescue US app.  

Using the web-based app, food rescuers – as volunteers are lovingly referred to – transfer fresh food surpluses from local businesses to social service agencies serving the food insecure. The national organization currently exists in 23 states across the U.S. with a total 42 sites, each one alleviating the issue of food insecurity locally and fostering community in the areas they serve.

“Our platform builds community by providing an opportunity for local businesses to easily donate to help people in their area,” Evans said.

While she has focused her attention primarily on Hudson and the surrounding communities while launching the nonprofit here, Evans plans to expand to the greater Akron area with time.

“This offers a unique opportunity that doesn’t currently exist in our area,” she adds.

Evans is a firm believer in the positive benefits that Food Rescuers can bring to the world, positing that just a 15% reduction in food waste would not only reduce climate change but provide enough food for more than 25 million Americans every year. And the numbers are backed by Food Rescue US reports, which document that the 152 million meals provided to those in need so far have kept 183 million pounds of food out of landfills and prevented 500,600 tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere.

And, of course, none of this would be possible without the help of over 20,000 volunteers across the nation, she said.

Evans is seeking additional volunteer power for the newly inaugurated Hudson site.

“A food rescuer can sign-up for a rescue that fits their schedule, and [it] typically takes less than an hour of their time,” she said. “The current network includes local restaurants and grocers, which serve as food donors, and receiving agencies, including food pantries, senior programs, recovery centers and more.”

Onboarding as a volunteer is swift and straightforward, Evans added.

“You simply download the app to get started, and from there it’s as easy as 1-2-3, really,” she said.

For more information and to get started volunteering, visit foodrescue.us or contact Katie Evans, Akron site director, at katie@foodrescue.us. ∞

Photo: Hudsonite Katie Evans is spearheading local efforts to salvage fresh food from groceries and restaurants and transport it to those in need. Photo submitted.