In the world of retail there's an aspect that may be relatively unknown to the everyday person: the vital role that retail donors play in fighting food insecurity. Whether a local grocery store or a national chain, these companies are significant to our mission by donating surplus food and helping our local communities.
According to Feeding America, over 235,000 people face hunger in our 7-county service area. Because Inter-Faith Food Shuttle shares a service area with the Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC, we are committed to providing food for about 117,000 people per month. Our dedicated Food Sourcing department is responsible for figuring out where all of this food comes from, by establishing and maintaining relationships with retailers, and educating them on the benefits and impact their donations provide to those in need.
In 2020, Inter-Faith Food Shuttle obtained an average of 32,269 pounds of food per month through retail donations. By 2023, our monthly retail food donations grew significantly, averaging 210,532 pounds. That’s a total increase from 435,000 pounds of food donated at the end of 2020 to 2.5 million pounds in 2023.
Our retail partnerships continue to expand. Our partners include Aldi, Lidl, Walmart, Target, Wegman’s, Harris Teeter, Trader Joe’s, Big Lots, Dollar General, The Fresh Market, Whole Foods, Costco, Sam’s, BJ’s, GoPuff, Publix, Amazon, Piggly Wiggly, and Weaver Street Market, along with local, independently owned grocery stores. We also now partner with 29 local Harris Teeter stores, as part of the newly launched Food Donation Rescue Program in which all Harris Teeter stores are donating perishable items to food banks associated with Feeding America.
There are several reasons why a retail store would choose to donate their surplus goods to the Food Shuttle. Instead of discarding surplus or nearing expiration food items, retailers can redirect them to food banks, minimizing waste and decluttering landfills. This cuts down their disposal costs while also supporting corporate social responsibility and environmental sustainability efforts.
Retail donors also receive IRS tax credits by donating food, encouraging businesses to engage in philanthropy while simultaneously giving them a financial benefit.
However, the true value of retail food donations lies in the impact they make on their immediate communities. They enable the mission of Inter-Faith Food Shuttle and provide meals on the table for countless individuals and families facing food insecurity. Without them, our work simply wouldn't be possible.