Maryland Food Recovery Network
More than 60,000 pounds of food annually was going to waste at the College Park campus of University of Maryland. Montgomery County natives Ben Simon and Mia Zavalij founded the Food Recovery Network to donate this food to local homeless shelters. Hear their story in this video.






Just saw you on MHP show….congrats on being such amazing role models. I am going to see if our local colleges would participate. At almost 57, I am long past my college years, but want to help.
Jill, Thank you so much for the kind words. We’re really excited you want to help out. If you find any colleges or students who want to help start an FRN chapter at their school, you can direct them to the “Start a Chapter” page on our website to get started. Also, feel free to email info@foodrecoverynetwork.org if you need help with anything or have a question.
Hi Guys, first of all I think what you do is wonderful. I was listening to MSNBC this morning on Sirius Radio and heard your interview and I got so excited with what you are doing…. Magnificent!
I am going to have my niece and nephew get involved at their colleges locally here in South Florida. I currently have a small organization called With GODS Blessings we provide. We buy the rice, beans, maseca and get the vegetables at the local Farm Share and pass it out to the local Churches where the migrant workers attend. However, what you do is exactly what I have wanted to do for years but never thought about researching the law. Now that I have that law behind me I am going to see if I can begin getting the food from local restaurants and passing it out. I believe there is an organization where local chefs give their leftovers to the homeless here in Miami.
However, it won’t hurt doing it locally here in Homestead, Fl. Thank you for your inspiration and I am going to get my family involved with your project. Really phenomenal.
Maria, thanks so much for your comment! It sounds like you are doing fantastic work with feeding the hungry. If your nephew and nice want to get involved, we would love to work with them.