Food Recovery Programs

According to the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) 2004 Household Food Security Report, nearly 650,000 Missourians experience food insecurity – approximately a third of them also experience hunger. This means that their access to enough food is limited by a lack of money and other resources. Yet, it is estimated that approximately one-fourth of America's food goes to waste each year, with an estimated 96 billion pounds of food ending up in landfills. Millions of people could have benefited from those lost resources.

Why are food recovery programs needed? What is food recovery and what services are available? How can you help? Find answers to these questions and more under Definitions and Services. Find links to the websites of food recovery entities and food banks throughout Missouri that participate in food recovery at Related Links. In addition, the USDA has established 1-800-GLEAN-IT (453-2648), a toll-free hotline to provide an easy-to-reach source of information on how to become a volunteer, donate food or get involved in a local gleaning or food recovery program.