Recently published news and opinions from Food Recovery Network
Food Recovery Network's Chapter Showcase
Our work wouldn’t be possible without our incredible student leaders. Keep reading to learn more about a few awesome FRN chapters!
SPRINGFIELD COLLEGE
We are kicking off our Chapter Showcase with Springfield College! Since their inception in 2021, this chapter has recovered more than 5,865 lbs of surplus food from campus dining facilities. Springfield works with its on-campus food pantry, the Mary Ann Coughlin Pride Pantry, to ensure meals get into the hands of students. Each week, Rachel’s Table, the chapter's community partner organization, collects the remaining recovered food to distribute locally and to the Salvation Army.
"As a relatively newly established chapter of FRN, our primary focus has been recovering any surplus food from our dining hall to redistribute to our on campus food pantry and into the local community via our partnership with Rachel's Table," shares chapter leader Rianna Bottger. "Typically, five of us meet each week to recover the food. As we grow, we hope to be able to host more educational events for the general campus community regarding food waste and food recoveries."
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH
The University of Pittburgh's FRN chapter has diverted almost 70,000 pounds of surplus food from landfills to people since 2014. Alongside recovering surplus food, this chapter engages with their community through events like bake sales, picnics, community partner nights, and more.
"Our chapter of Food Recovery Network at the University of Pittsburgh, Food Recovery Heroes, recovers food for many reasons," shares a student leader. "We all share a passion for fighting food waste and helping those less fortunate in our community. As college students we are constantly surrounded by food especially in our dining halls. So much of the food that gets mass produced never ends up being eaten. Our chapter is proud we are able to save that food from going to the landfill and help people in our community.”
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
Starting their food recovery journey in 2018, the University of Virginia's FRN chapter has recovered over 41,000 pounds of surplus food. The chapter works with hunger-fighting partner organizations like the Salvation Army, Food Sharing is Caring, and the Community Food Pantry to get surplus food to people instead of landfills.
"We recently switched our model this year, pivoting from primarily restaurant donors to collecting food from on campus dining locations," shares chapter leader Ibraheem Qureshi in the spring. "Despite this shift, we have still recovered over 1.5 tons of food this semester."
FRN at the University of Virginia also engages their campus community through unique events like potlucks, bonfires, bake sales, and more.
ohio state university
Since their inception in 2016, Ohio State University's FRN chapter has diverted nearly 40,000 pounds of surplus food from landfills to people. The chapter works with hunger-fighting partner organizations like the Starhouse, Gethsemane Food Pantry, NNEMAP, Open Shelter, Mid-Ohio Food Collective to get surplus food into the hands of people, not landfills
"Columbus has so many amazing organizations that help feed those who are struggling, so to help them get food to those who need it is truly rewarding," shares chapter leader Catherine Kogan. "I recover food, to help minimize our environmental footprint and help those who are struggling with food insecurity. Columbus is such a special city and to help give back to the community that has given me so much, while also flighting our environmental footprint is truly why I do it."
When they're not recovering food, the chapter hosts a plethora of engaging events for their chapter and community. This fall, alongside weekly meetings, the chapter hosted a vinyl painting social for members!
NC STATE UNIVERSITY
NC State University re-joined FRN's network in 2025 and we are so excited to have them back! From their pre-pandemic recoveries to now, this chapter has recovered almost 25,000 pounds of surplus food.
"Our organization has been involved with numerous partnerships over the years due to the many layers of food waste and hunger issues, so we have been able to learn about and educate others on the health, social, economic, environmental, and many other aspects associated," shares chapter leader Morgan Murdock. "We have continuously represented the organization well, which has helped us build strong foundations with our campus and community partners. I would say strong communication has been our best skill because it saves everyone time and resources when we all have a clear understanding. For volunteer recruitment, we were able to partner with some living/learning villages on campus to come volunteer with us because the opportunities are so close to where they reside, and the service relates to many different interests among students."
Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis works with its on-campus food pantry to get surplus food into the hands of students. When they aren't recovering food, the chapter engages their volunteers and community through unique events. This year, in collaboration with WashU Living Well Center and the WashU Community Experiential Learning Center, the chapter hosted a cooking demonstration to show students how to make easy and healthy recipes that are budget-friendly.
University of Wisconsin at Madison
The University of Wisconsin at Madison's FRN chapter has recovered 46,405 pounds of surplus food since joining the network in 2016. This chapter recovers food from a number of local spots and donates it to The Crossing Campus Ministry.
When they aren't busy recovering food, this chapter engages its campus community by serving free meals to students on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Utah State University
Utah State University joined FRN's network in 2015, recovering 220,410 pounds of surplus food since then. This chapter recovers food both on and off-campus, donating to the Students Nutrition Access Center (SNAC) @ USU and the Cache Community Food Pantry. Utah State also hosts gleaning sessions, collecting surplus produce to be distributed to their partner agencies.
"Utah State University (USU) Student Nutrition Access Center (SNAC) started and hosted a mobile food pantry. With support from our community food pantry and the Utah Food Bank, we began a once-a-month event, which will be an additional resource for individuals, shares chapter leader Jonathon Walters. "This mobile food pantry is available to anyone who is a Utah resident and is the first mobile pantry in our county."
North Carolina A&T State University
Since it's inception in 2018, North Carolina A&T State University's FRN chapter has diverted almost 4,000 pouunds of surplus food from landfills to people. This chapter recovers and repackages extra meals from Williams Dining Hall after lunch and delivers it to the Interactive Resource Center (IRC), supporting individuals in Greensboro who are experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness.
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo joined FRN's network in 2022, recovering almost 200 pounds of surplus food since then. The chapter receives food donations through donor agencies like Cal Poly Crop Fields, First Fruit Farms, and the Cal Poly Dining Facility. They work with partner agencies SLO Food Bank and the Cal Poly Food Pantry to get that food into the hands of individuals in the community.
When they're not recovering food, this chapter hosts unique events to engage their volunteers and community. This fall, the chapter hosted a sustainable pumpkin carving and food safety training event, alongside a Halloween beach bonfire!
SUNY University at Buffalo
Founded in 2021, FRN at SUNY University at Buffalo has diverted over 80,000 pounds of surplus food from landfills to people. This chapter recovers food from multiple locations on campus, and donates it to their partner agencies -- the Salvation Army, Friends of Night People, Blue Table, Buffalo Love Community Fridges, and Campus Dining and Shops.
"We recover food to have an impact on our community," Ham continues. "By giving back to those who are in a rough spot, can't afford their families' next meal, or even do not have their own place to make a meal, we have the opportunity to give a better quality of life to people in our community through food that would have otherwise been thrown out."
Villanova University
FRN's chapter at Villanova University began in 2014 and has since recovered almost 35,000 pounds of surplus food. The chapter partners with the AIDS Care Group to distribute recovered food throughout their community. The AIDS Care Group is a social services group in Delaware County that provides care for the uninsured.
"Our FRN chapter is dedicated to recovery nights, and we do them every Monday-Thursday during the semester while students are on campus," shares chapter leader Ashton Szymanski. "We have a dedicated team, and one that cares about everyone in our community."
When they're not recovering food, Villanova's FRN chapter hosts a number of events to engage their community. One example is Greek Week, where the chapter partners with Greek organizations on campus to recover surplus food.
Montgomery County Community College
Rounding out our chapter showcase is Montgomery County Community College! Since its inception in 2024, this chapter has recovered over 4,000 pounds of surplus food. The chapter recovers food from its campus Hospitality Institute and distributes it through the Stock Up for Success Food Pantry and Manna on Main Street.
"Each month we are innovating new ideas to become more sustainable in recovering food," shares chapter leader Krystal Ledoux. "Also, each month we donate more and create from the food we recover. It's a pleasure to feed those on this campus and even more delightful to see the students enjoying it."
When they aren't busy recovering food, the chapter hosts innovative events to engage their community. This Fall, the chapter hosted an event called Pumpkins with a Purpose where they invited their campus Sustainability Club to learn about food sustainability and complete a hands-on recovery activity.
Food Recovery Network Hosts Free Pop-Up Produce Markets for Baltimore School Families
Food Recovery Network (FRN) distributes free fresh produce that would have otherwise gone to waste to feed children and families experiencing food insecurity in Baltimore through pop-up farmers markets at Title I elementary schools.
FRN Team Distributing Produce in Baltimore, MD (2024)
Baltimore, MD Food Recovery Network (FRN) distributes free fresh produce that would have otherwise gone to waste to feed children and families experiencing food insecurity in Baltimore through pop-up farmers markets at Title I elementary schools.
This program aims to recover and redistribute surplus produce to increase fresh food access for children and families, mitigate would-be food waste, and direct more human and financial capital back into the local community. Through FRN’s data-driven approach, Baltimore was identified as a key area where there is both a high need and opportunity for their produce distribution program.
“We are experts at recovering perfectly good food from all parts of the food system, and we are thrilled to be in community with Baltimore to increase food access. Everyone deserves food and when we recover perfectly good food, we keep the value of that food, and in partnership, we commit to growing dignity for everyone,” says Regina Harmon, Chief Executive Officer, FRN.
FRN Team Distributing Produce in Baltimore, MD (2024)
FRN collaborates with a variety of Baltimore stakeholders and partners, including Baltimore County Public Schools, to achieve their shared goals of increased food access. These partners inform the design and implementation of their programs, ensuring efforts are relevant to the needs and capacities of the community. Additional partners include Hungry Harvest and CASA. FRN relies on the support of FRN student-led chapters at Towson University, Goucher College, Stevenson College, and St. John’s College, which provide college student volunteers.
Since July 2024, FRN has hosted 16 pop-up produce markets across 2 Title 1 schools in Baltimore, Lakeland Elementary/Middle School and Fort Worthington Elementary/Middle School. Through these markets, FRN distributed 14,850 lbs of surplus produce from community farms to 1,230 families in the Baltimore area.
FRN Team Distributing Produce in Baltimore, MD (2024)
Food Recovery Network (FRN) is a national nonprofit that mobilizes 8,000 college students, food providers, and local businesses in the fight against climate change and hunger by recovering perishable food across the supply chain that would otherwise go to waste and donating it to organizations that feed people experiencing hunger. As the largest student-led movement recovering surplus food and ending hunger, FRN’s programs are on nearly 200 college campuses and 100 food businesses in 46 states and D.C., and they have recovered more than 22.9 million pounds of food to date – the equivalent of 19 million meals donated to feed individuals experiencing hunger and 7419.5 metric tons of CO2e prevented from entering our atmosphere.
FRN's Summer Chapter Showcase
As the largest student-led movement recovering surplus food in the U.S., chapters are the lifeblood of FRN. We took the opportunity this summer to launch the Summer Chapter Showcase, spotlighting 12 amazing chapters for their tireless efforts.
Student chapters make our mission possible. As the largest student-led movement recovering surplus food in the U.S., chapters are the lifeblood of FRN. We took the opportunity this summer to launch the Summer Chapter Showcase, spotlighting 12 amazing chapters for their tireless efforts.
We kicked off the showcase with a spotlight on Montclair State University. Since their inception in 2017, this chapter has recovered more than 16,000 lbs of surplus food from campus dining facilities. "We donated over 1,400 meals to our on-campus food pantry - and provided over 190 hours in volunteer work," reflects chapter leader Nikki Cocuzza at the end of the Spring 2025 semester. Alongside recovering food, this chapter organizes and advocates around issues related to food waste, hunger, and sustainability, and frequently volunteers with their partner agency.
Montclair State University, 2024
Rounding out the showcase is one of FRN’s newest student chapters at Keene State College. This chapter not only recovers food but also donates it to organizations on campus, alongside engaging in advocacy around issues related to food waste, hunger, and sustainability. "We just started recovering this semester, but we are getting better and growing the program on our campus," shares chapter leader Lena Goins.
Keene State College, 2024