What is the Food Rescue Challenge and how can you get involved?

A man picking up produce at a grocery store.
January 13, 2025
by Paul Morello

Did you know that Feeding America is the biggest food rescue organization in the country? Every day, the Feeding America network of food banks works to rescue safe, healthy food and distribute it to neighbors facing hunger, so they have the food needed to thrive. Through the Food Rescue Challenge, we’re aiming to transform an additional 1 billion pounds of rescued food into meals and turn excess into access.

Learn more about food rescue, the Food Rescue Challenge and how you can join us below!

Surplus food exists. Our mission is to find it.

In the United States, 92 billion pounds of surplus food is produced each year. That’s more than enough food for everyone. Instead, that perfectly safe, wholesome food is wasted and doesn’t actually reach anyone. But, the Feeding America network is changing that.

From excess to access – how we’re rescuing food

More than 47 million people in our country experience food insecurity. But, Feeding America is working to change that by rescuing safe, good-to-eat food and making sure it gets to neighbors. We rescue surplus food like produce, protein and dairy products from grocery stores, food manufacturers and farms. Food like bananas or carrots, to fuel young minds at school, or milk and eggs that help everyone stay strong and thrive.

Once that food is rescued, it gets redistributed through 200 food banks and 60,000 agency partners nationwide. Feeding America is the nation’s largest food rescue organization and last year, we rescued more than 4 billion pounds of food.

Give now to join the Food Rescue Challenge

We have an incredible opportunity to rescue more food and bring safe, wholesome produce, protein and dairy to neighbors facing hunger. That’s why we’ve set an ambitious goal to rescue an additional 1 billion pounds of food annually. Rescuing food helps ensure everyone has access to the food they need to thrive. 

Give now to the Food Rescue Challenge. Help us turn excess into access so everyone has the opportunity to thrive.