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Food Rescue
The Teton Valley Food Pantry’s Food Rescue staff and volunteers collect a variety of food six days a week from local grocery stores and bakeries. By rescuing food that is nearing its expiration date, we can reduce food waste and improve food security in Teton Valley. The fresh vegetables, fruits, baked goods, dairy products, deli items, meat, and various dry goods we collect provide essential nutrition for families, children, seniors, and individuals facing food insecurity. Nothing goes to waste—food that exceeds sell-by standards is composted or given to local farmers as animal feed.
“Our community-based food rescue program effectively supplements our efforts to feed our neighbors while minimizing food waste. Every month, we save thousands of pounds of food from ending up in the landfill, uniting our efforts to tackle food insecurity and reduce food waste in the community. We invite everyone to visit the pantry and discover the day's rescued food offerings!” says Theresa Paradis, Food Rescue Program Coordinator.
What is Food Rescue?
Food rescue focuses on saving good food that would otherwise be wasted and distributing it to those who need it most. It is a powerful tool in the fight against food insecurity. We work with grocery stores and bakeries to identify food that is nearing its sell-by date or has cosmetic imperfections. Instead of ending up in landfills, this food gets a second chance. It's a simple concept that creates a significant impact by transforming potential waste into healthy food for those in need. Our food safety procedures, mandated by the Idaho Food Bank, ensure that all food is safe before it is placed on pantry shelves. Our efficient process quickly delivers nutritious food to those in need in a sustainable manner.
How Does Food Rescue Help Our Community?
1. Increase Food Access: We distribute nutritious rescued food to individuals facing food insecurity, supporting our neighbors and strengthening local food support systems in our valley.
2. Reduce Food Waste: By salvaging food that would otherwise be discarded, we help minimize waste in our community.
3. Health Equity: Food Rescue promotes health and well-being by ensuring that vulnerable populations have access to fresh and healthy food options.
Food rescue helps create a world where abundance is shared, food waste is minimized, and hunger becomes a thing of the past.