WESTERN'S FOOD RECOVERY NETWORK

Run by the Net Impact Club at Western Washington University, our chapter is a collaboration between students and like-minded clubs and organizations on campus. We are a group of individuals dedicated to sustainability and positive change – and our work is just beginning. Our efforts will continue to contribute to campus sustainability and zero waste goals through student action.  

 

The amount of food waste we produce is gut-wrenching. OVER 100 POUNDS OF FOOD IS WASTED EVERY DAY. While composting is better than the trash, that food is still edible. Food is essential to life and a valuable resource; yet unfortunately, nearly forty percent of it is never consumed.

 

As a student employee of the dining hall, I saw food waste as the biggest problem throughout our daily operations. When I inquired within our dining company about alternative options for our leftovers, I found that there was none in place. However, nearly every employee there felt uncomfortable with the amount of food we threw away. I came across the FoodShift blog, reached out and was referred the Food Recovery Network. Turns out, we weren’t the only ones with this problem, or with the idea to donate it!

 

Our Food Recovery Network chapter played integral role in the national organization and its partnership with Aramark dining services. As a volunteer-run chapter of FRN, we have a working partnership with our services to pick-up leftover food from four retail locations on campus every Friday afternoon. But this is just the beginning. We may be starting small, but this is just the beginning. WE CAN ELIMINATE FOOD WASTE ON OUR CAMPUS!

 

-Chapter Founder, Megan Lasley