Impact is More than a Number

How do you define impact? When I think about this question, my mind automatically leaps to metrics. At FRN, we collect a lot of data to understand the results of our work, much of which can be communicated through numbers. While we can share really interesting information, like how many pounds of food our students recover per semester, we still have to ask ourselves, what do these numbers really mean? What do numbers really tell us about the actual impact of the work produced, the message shared, or the service provided? 

I grappled with these questions last fall as Food Recovery Network (FRN) volunteers supported the work of The Farmlink Project. Dozens of our students and alumni researched and made phone calls to connect with farmers that might have surplus food to donate. Sometimes their efforts led to food recovery and donation, which we can quantify by looking at how many volunteers participated, how many hours of service they provided, and how many pounds of food were moved as a result:

• 55 volunteers

• 319 hours

• 638,000 pounds of food

“FarmLink is an incredible solution to combating both food waste and food insecurity. As a member of the FRN eboard and as a farmworker— I’ve seen how much good food gets wasted on the farm and how much prepared food gets thrown out that could have otherwise been recovered. I love being part of a team that works together to circulate fresh produce and food items to people with less access in such a creative and innovative way.”

— Theresa Ferrigno, student at SUNY/ESF

However, there were many more instances in which volunteer research and calls didn’t lead anywhere. In speaking with FRN volunteers about their experience, though, it became clear to me that the full impact of this program can’t be reduced to metrics. There simply isn’t a way to measure:

• The passion FRN volunteers brought to this work

• The way they inspired their FRNds to volunteer

• The skills, leadership and knowledge they gained

• The strength of the relationships built with farmers, and 

• The value of fresh produce, when it could be donated, to food insecure communities

“Volunteering remotely with Farmlink has given me the chance to maintain activism towards food insecurity during a time when solutions are needed more than ever. I am very grateful for this experience and I look forward to more power hours in the near future.”

— Billie Porter, student at University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Sometimes, the largest impact isn’t quantified in numbers. Instead, it is felt in the hearts of those who do the work and those who receive the support they need, demonstrated through our commitments and the simple act of showing up, and inspired through our passion and leadership. I am so grateful for all those who volunteered with us in 2020; you power our movement to combat hunger and food waste and your impact extends far beyond numbers. 

Interested in volunteering with FRN and Farmlink this spring?

Reflecting on 2020: Student Network Wins in Light of COVID-19

By Regina Anderson, Executive Director

The poet laureate Audre Lorde said, “The sharing of joy, whether physical, emotional, psychic, or intellectual, forms a bridge between the sharers which can be the basis for understanding much of what is not shared between them, and lessens the threat of their difference.” 

Lorde’s sentiment reminds me of all of our students throughout the country in their pursuit to build a better food system for all. FRN students believe deeply that food is a right and they make sure that people have access to the food they deserve through valuable relationships. 

This month we wanted to take a moment to celebrate our student network! Students, you have all accomplished some astounding things and I am not surprised at all. 

• We have found new places to recover food outside of our college campuses, more than 120 of us worked closely [virtually] with The FarmLink Project (600,000 pounds of food recovered and counting!)

• We’re engaged in our continuous learning with the Food Justice Learning Series, a sequence of webinars that brings a panel of experts together to discuss issues that intersect food waste and food insecurity in our country through the lens of life in a pandemic.

• Additionally, in collaboration with the #FUELHigherEd campaign, FRN is working alongside a network of advocacy organizations to end food insecurity in America and to create long-lasting solutions to hunger on college campuses. We hope you can interact with this campaign throughout the spring.  

And we’re just getting warmed up. 2021 will be here before we know it and all of us at FRN National cannot wait to keep making strides to ensure we can distribute all of the surplus food our country produces to feed everyone who is hungry. 

Thank you to all of our student-leaders, volunteers, staff advisors, dining hall workers, food donors, and partner agencies. We appreciate your hard work this year, and we can’t wait to continue this amazing work in the new year!

Honoring Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week

Now through November 22, 2020, FRN will honor Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, an annual program sponsored by the National Coalition for the Homeless and the National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness to help educate people across the country about these issues and advocate for change.

At FRN, we firmly believe that no one should have to worry about where their next meal will come from or where they’ll sleep that night. Unfortunately, millions of people in the United States struggle with hunger and homelessness. Right now, an estimated 54 million people are experiencing food insecurity and nearly 550,000 people experience homelessness on a given night. 

While there are many misconceptions about who is impacted by hunger and homelessness, these issues aren’t exclusive to any single community or group and rarely does a single cause contribute to the loss of housing or inability to purchase food. Check out some of the common myths surrounding homelessness and hunger in the US. 

As we reflect on the prevalence of homelessness and hunger in America, one of the most startling revelations is the rate at which food and housing insecurity for college and university students is rising. According to a study conducted by Hunger on Campus: 

• 50% of community college students and 47% of four-year college students reported experiencing food insecurity in the previous 30 days

• Food insecurity rates are higher for students of color: 57% of Black or African American students reported food insecurity, compared to 40% of non-Hispanic white students

• 64% of food insecure students reported experiencing housing insecurity in the past 12 months 

• 15% of food insecure students reported experiencing homelessness in the past 12 months

So what action is being taken to rectify this? Many colleges and universities across the country have opened food pantries on campus to help reduce student hunger. Additional solutions include the creation of on-campus community gardens and food recovery programs.

Policymakers can also play a significant role by increasing student access to existing federal programs like SNAP and simplifying the FAFSA process. 

At FRN, we’re taking action in our own way. In partnership with the #FUELHigherEd Campaign, we’re leading a cohort of six FRN Student Chapters to engage in advocacy work at the local, state and federal level to help raise awareness about student hunger and promote change. Through these efforts, we hope to generate stronger policies that will lead to reduced food insecurity and hunger for students. To stay updated on our work, sign up for FRN emails and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

A Journey to One Million Pounds

This year FRN launched a partnership with The FarmLink Project (FarmLink), a student-led organization that has rescued millions of pounds of surplus food from farms during the pandemic. FarmLink saw a need and an opportunity to mitigate farm food loss as dining facilities closed down in April, and FRN recognized our own power to help in the process.

FRN volunteer efforts led to the recovery and distribution of 38,000 pounds of celery in September.

FRN’s Intersection to this Work

Many FRN Student Chapters have been unable to recover surplus food from their campuses this year. At the same time, the massive shift to virtual life has opened up new possibilities when it comes to volunteering. With an estimated 54 million Americans experiencing food insecurity, FRN recognized the urgent need to activate our students and alumni to continue fighting food waste. 

In September, 120 FRN students and alumni mobilized to identify opportunities for food recovery on farms, enabling FarmLink to intervene before any food went to waste. In this way, our students and alumni are using their experience, skills, and passion for food recovery to address the current needs of farmers and food insecure communities across the country. In the process, they are also gaining valuable knowledge surrounding farm food loss and waste and developing skills to initiate the recovery and distribution of food on a large scale. 

“I think this is an incredible learning opportunity that is constantly pushing me and teaching me that any idea could be turned into an action - all it takes is belief, drive and a few committed people. FarmLink is continuously maturing in its intentions and my specific role on the farms team has made me more confident in both the skill of cold-calling and trusting that the community of volunteers is there for the farmers and volunteers at every step.” - FRN Alumna

FRN’s volunteer engagement 

Our work has already resulted in the recovery of 450,000 pounds of food. Aside from the research and outreach, FRN volunteers are taking on leadership roles with FarmLink and energizing others to dive into the work. This partnership combines the strengths of our network with FarmLink’s logistical and tactical prowess to achieve maximum impact. 

FRN volunteers continue to identify food recovery opportunities before the fall harvest season ends.

"The FarmLink Project has been so lucky to have the help of FRN members as we continue to grow our organization. The first group of FRN members began working hand in hand with us when we had just crossed the 5 million pound mark and now with The FarmLink Project approaching 15 million pounds, we can use all the help we can get with the next 15 million." - Cooper Adams, Head of Farms Team at FarmLink

If you’re feeling inspired by this work, sign up to volunteer! Now is the time to take action. With your help, FRN and FarmLink can recover one million pounds of food before the end of the year.