Since 2020, The FruitGuys, a national fresh produce and snack delivery company, has partnered with Food Connect to rescue and redistribute over 500,000 pounds of fresh produce to over 25 local frontline community organizations. Food Connect's food rescue program helps reduce food waste and supports local communities by feeding those in need. Our programs work by collecting surplus food from The FruitGuys and distributing it to organizations such as community centers and food banks.

Fast-forward to the present day, our Food Connect x The FruitGuys team-up continues to amplify our collective efforts to eliminate food waste and increase access to nutritious food, helping thousands of people nationwide!

According to Feeding America, in the United States, people waste 92 billion pounds of food annually, equivalent to 145 billion meals, throwing away over $473 billion worth of food each year. Meanwhile, 1 in 8 families battles food insecurity and access issues. Food waste includes imperfect fruits and vegetables, produce near expiration (but still good to eat), overproduction at farms, or damaged food during transport that goes to waste.

This dynamic partnership aims to chip away at the disparity between food waste and hunger relief. The solution is to bridge the gap between food waste and access to those in need. So far, we have done just that!

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One of our recipient organizations shared this with us:

 “The fresh produce that Food Connect delivers to us weekly from The FruitGuys is an invaluable addition to our community. We are able to provide these items to all aspects of Booker T. Washington Community Service programming. Our after-school youth get a healthy fresh snack daily, in addition to supplementing our weekly market. This helps offset the cost so we are able to provide high-value items that we wouldn’t have been able to without the support of The FruitGuys. We truly appreciate the positive impact that this partnership has had on our ability to serve our community more effectively. Thank you for your continued support in helping us meet the needs of those we serve.”

 _{— Juanita Bruton, Senior Manager of Food Sovereignty, Director, Booker T. Washington Community Service Center, San Francisco, CA}

Our partnership with The FruitGuys has made a significant impact on reducing food waste and providing nutritious food to those in need. We are grateful for the continued support from our partners and community members. Together, we can bridge the gap and create a healthier, more sustainable future. Thank you for being a part of this journey with us.

We invite you to get involved! Whether you follow us on social media, make a donation, or volunteer as a driver, your support can make a difference. Join us in our mission to end hunger and eliminate food waste. Together, we can make a lasting impact.

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