SAN FRANCISCO-MARIN FOOD BANK TEAMS UP WITH STARBUCKS AND FEEDING AMERICA ON MASSIVE FOOD DONATION PROGRAM
Starbucks FoodShare expected to rescue and donate 400,000 pounds of ready-to-eat food each year in San Francisco and Marin
SEPTEMBER 19, SAN FRANCISCO, CA) – Today, the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank, Starbucks, and Feeding America® have joined forces to celebrate the launch of the Starbucks ‘FoodShare’ program in the Bay Area.
Seven days a week, ‘FoodShare’ donations are picked up in refrigerated vehicles from more than 80 Starbucks stores in San Francisco and Marin. The food is then transported to Food Bank partners St. Anthony’s Foundation and Glide Memorial Church the same day, and is distributed to hungry neighbors through daily meal programs. It’s estimated that more than 400,000 pounds of fresh, unsold food will be rescued by this program this year in San Francisco and Marin. FoodShare is not only helping to strengthen the community but also is a big part of Starbucks’ overall commitment to reducing food waste.
Food Bank Chief Operating Officer Meredith Nguyen applauds Starbucks’ visionary approach: “Rescuing and sharing Starbucks’ fantastic food is only possible because the company has also invested in our operations and infrastructure. They provided funds that enabled us to hire drivers and contributed to the purchase of a new refrigerated van so that we could launch and sustain this effort.”
“Organizations like the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank, Glide Memorial Church and St. Anthony’s Foundation make it possible for our surplus food to get into the hands that need it most,” said Laura Olson, Starbucks director of Global Social Impact. “We take great pride in supporting the communities we serve in any way we can. Through FoodShare, our partners are able to give back to people in need and address one of the most serious issues we have today, hunger.”
Henry is a retired Navy veteran who is living on fixed income in downtown San Francisco. He recently had a chance to try some Starbucks FoodShare items at St. Anthony’s Dining Room. “This here is saving me right now,” he said, pointing to a Starbucks packaged fruit salad. “I’ll eat lunch here and take this fruit home with me and use it as dinner. The fact that I can take it home and keep it fresh is very useful.”
Starbucks intends to scale this program, and by 2020 to rescue 100 percent of its food available for donation from participating company-operated U.S. stores.
Click here for more information about the Starbucks FoodShare program at the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank.
CONTACT:
Mark Seelig
Manager Public Relations
San Francisco-Marin Food Bank
(office) 415-282-1907 ext 270; (cell) 415-246-9146
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ABOUT SAN FRANCISCO-MARIN FOOD BANK
San Francisco-Marin Food Bank’s mission is to end hunger in San Francisco and Marin, where one in four neighbors is at risk of hunger. We envision a community where everyone is able to obtain enough nutritious food in a dignified manner to support the health and well-being of themselves and their families. We address hunger head on: from our pantry network and home-delivered groceries, to our nutrition-education classes and food-stamp enrollment, we work in many ways to nourish and empower neighbors in need. Every week, 30,000 households count on us for food assistance. Nearly 60 percent of what we distribute is fresh fruits and vegetables. Learn more at www.sfmfoodbank.org
ABOUT STARBUCKS
Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting high-quality arabica coffee. Today, with stores around the globe, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at https://news.starbucks.com.
ABOUT FEEDING AMERICA
Feeding America® is the largest hunger-relief organization in the United States. Through a network of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs, we provide meals to more than 46 million people each year. Feeding America also supports programs that prevent food waste and improve food security among the people we serve; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Individuals, charities, businesses and government all have a role in ending hunger. Donate. Volunteer. Advocate. Educate. Together we can solve hunger. Visit www.feedingamerica.org
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