Understanding university-level food recovery programs’ approaches to minimizing food waste while combating food insecurity in the United States

Abstract

Food is wasted every day at each level of the food system from production to consumption. This surplus has significant negative impacts on the environment after food is sent to the landfill and allowed to rot. However, some surplus food can be repurposed and diverted from the landfill. This study served as an initial investigation to explore multiple food waste diversion programs and analyze their structure, best practices, and methods to divert leftover food. This study specifically aimed to compare and contrast food recovery programs by interviewing participants from three food recovery programs from different university institutions. With the key findings, we made suggestions for improvement upon the University of Arkansas’s food recovery program. The study determined that each program has the primary goal of addressing food insecurity, is dependent on internal university and external community partnerships, and strives for education and awareness about the issues of food insecurity and food waste. Additionally, this study discusses student versus staff-led models, differences in departmental organization, and the varying availability and sources of food. Overall, this study further highlights the significance and impact that food recovery has in combatting food insecurity and food waste