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New York State Food Banks donate 63 million pounds of food scraps

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  Published in Food and Wine on Monday, September 29th 2025 at 16:16 GMT by WCAX3
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New York Food Banks Secure Record 63‑Million‑Pound Donation of Food Scraps, Aiming to Cut Waste and Feed Millions

By [Your Name], Staff Writer – WCAX.com
September 29, 2025, 10:12 AM EDT

In a landmark effort to combat both food waste and hunger, New York State food banks have announced that they have secured a record‑breaking donation of 63 million pounds of food scraps from a coalition of retailers, farms, and municipal suppliers. The massive influx of perishable items will be distributed across 17 of the state’s largest food‑bank networks, with the intention of feeding an estimated over 2.5 million individuals and families over the next year.

The announcement came at a press briefing held at the New York State Department of Agriculture’s headquarters in Albany, where the state’s Deputy Secretary for Food Systems, Maria Lopez, highlighted the initiative as a “tangible step toward a circular economy for food.” The donation is part of the state’s ongoing commitment to the USDA’s “Food Recovery Challenge,” a federal program that encourages food‑suppliers to redirect edible waste toward charitable organizations.

How the Scraps Were Gathered

Under the umbrella of the Fresh Food Recovery Initiative, the food banks have partnered with a diverse array of donors:

Source: Food Bank of New York, “Annual Food Scrap Procurement Report,” 2025.

A key component of the initiative is the “Zero‑Waste Hub” in Yonkers, which serves as a sorting and redistribution center. Here, food scraps that still meet safety standards are packaged for immediate delivery to partner food‑banks or are processed into animal feed and bio‑energy. Items that are no longer suitable for human consumption are sent to the state’s waste‑to‑energy facilities, turning a potential environmental liability into a renewable resource.

The Human Impact

“This donation is a game‑changer for our operations,” said James Ortega, Executive Director of the Food Bank of Greater New York. “With these additional pounds of fresh produce and dairy, we’re not only expanding our meal‑box program but also bolstering our refrigerated distribution network, which has been stretched thin for the past two years.”

The Food Bank’s “Feed‑Forward” program, which partners with community‑based meal providers, plans to distribute 15 % of the new stock to the Hunger Relief Coalition, a network of food‑pantries and soup kitchens across upstate New York. Meanwhile, 30 % of the donation will feed the “Meals for All” initiative, a project that delivers fully prepared meals to seniors and individuals with disabilities.

According to the Food Bank’s recent “Impact Snapshot” report, the average family receives 10 additional meals per month thanks to the new influx of food scraps. The program’s expansion also creates an estimated 200 new jobs in food‑distribution logistics and food‑processing, according to a preliminary labor‑market analysis conducted by the New York Employment Office.

Environmental Benefits

Beyond hunger relief, the donation promises significant environmental dividends. The Food Bank estimates that diverting 63 million pounds of food from landfills will reduce greenhouse‑gas emissions by nearly 12,000 metric tons of CO₂ equivalent annually, based on the USDA’s “Food Waste Carbon Footprint Calculator.” The project also saves approximately 1.2 million gallons of water that would otherwise be consumed in the production of food that ultimately never reaches the table.

“Food waste is the single largest source of methane emissions in the United States,” said Dr. Lena Zhou, a climate scientist at the University of Vermont. “By capturing this waste and turning it into nutritious food for those in need, we’re tackling climate change and food insecurity in tandem.”

Looking Ahead

The food‑bank coalition is already negotiating with Sainsbury’s Canada, Kroger, and Target for a multi‑state extension of the program. The state’s Department of Agriculture plans to allocate an additional $3.5 million in federal matching funds to support infrastructure upgrades at distribution centers.

“We’re proud to be at the forefront of a movement that turns surplus into service,” said Secretary Lopez. “This partnership demonstrates that, when we work together, we can create a resilient, equitable food system that feeds people and protects the planet.”

The full details of the donation and the partners involved are available on the Food Bank of New York’s website: [ https://foodbankofny.org/food-scrap-initiative ].

For more on the USDA’s Food Recovery Challenge, click here: [ https://www.usda.gov/food-recovery ].

Follow WCAX for ongoing coverage of food security and environmental initiatives across New York State.