Recently published news and opinions from Food Recovery Network
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
Faculty Chapter Advisors - Back to School Guide
We’re putting all of the important dates, forms, and a helpful resource link here, all in one place, so you can bookmark it and reference it at any point in the year.
We hope you had an amazing summer, and we can't wait to kick off a new school year supporting student leaders on your campus as they continue to fight climate change and hunger.
At FRN, we recognize the pivotal role that you, FRN Chapter Advisors, play as mentors and advocates to the students in our network. This year, we are delighted to keep you informed about the work we’re doing at FRN National, the opportunities we’re sharing with student leaders, and more!
We’re putting all of the important dates, forms, and a helpful resource link here, all in one place, so you can bookmark it and reference it at any point in the year.
Official Chapter Agreement (09/30)
Photo Contest (10/01)
Fall End of Semester Survey (12/17)
Bowl to Bracket Bingo (02/09/2026 - 03/31/2026)
Earth Month Webinar (04/06/2026)
Spring End of Semester Survey (05/15/2026)
Leadership Team Form (05/15/2026)
Official Chapter Agreement (required): Review and sign by September 30th. Only one chapter member needs to submit.
Grant Application: Your chapter has received $300 of funding from FRN National to use this academic year! Request supplies and reimbursements using this form.
Care Package: Fill out this form to receive a care package from FRN. Please note there is only one care package per chapter.
Food Tracking Forms: Report the number of pounds of food you’ve recovered throughout the semester. You can input your data after each recovery, weekly, biweekly, monthly, or once at the end of each semester.
Student Resources: Check out our website for resources and guides for building and maintaining a robust chapter.
Leadership Team Changes: Please fill out any time you have a change in executive board.
Volunteer Information: This allows FRN National to update our record of students in our network. Let us know who volunteers with your chapter!
If you’d prefer to talk with FRN staff one on one about your chapter’s goals and how we can support you this fall, please schedule a call with us here. We’d love to hear from you.
Thank you so much for your investment in our mission and for helping FRN student chapters fight food waste and feed people in your community. We would not be able to do this important work without you, and we look forward to staying in touch!
Food Recovery Network Achieves Highest Ratings from Charity Navigator and Candid
“Achieving the Candid Platinum Seal reflects our dedication to transparency and strengthens the trust of our donors and partners. Our Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator further validates our operational excellence,” said Regina Harmon, Executive Director of Food Recovery Network. “We hope these recognitions will introduce our work to new supporters who can help us feed more people faster.”
Food Recovery Network is excited to announce that it has received a Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator, which recognizes the organization's strong financial health, ongoing effectiveness, and reliability. This distinction also marks Food Recovery Network as an official “Give with Confidence” charity, emphasizing the value of donations based on Charity Navigator’s extensive evaluation criteria that go beyond financial metrics. Charity Navigator assesses nonprofit health and performance in four key areas: Leadership & Adaptability, Accountability & Finance, Culture & Community, and Impact & Results. This rigorous evaluation process ensures transparency and fiscal responsibility, demonstrating the organization’s engagement with its constituents and the accomplishments achieved.
In addition to this achievement, Food Recovery Network has also earned the 2025 Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid (formerly known as GuideStar), the world's largest source of nonprofit information. This is the highest level of recognition offered by Candid, showcasing the organization’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and measurable impact.
“Achieving the Candid Platinum Seal reflects our dedication to transparency and strengthens the trust of our donors and partners. Our Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator further validates our operational excellence,” said Regina Harmon, Executive Director of Food Recovery Network. “We hope these recognitions will introduce our work to new supporters who can help us feed more people faster.”
To explore our Candid profile and learn more about our impact, please visit: https://app.candid.org/profile/9217562/food-recovery-network-45-3836775
To learn more about our Four-Star Charity Navigator rating, please visit: https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/453836775
About Food Recovery Network:
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.
Founded in 2011 at the University of Maryland in College Park, FRN's innovative approach was developed by a group of college students who observed perfectly good food being thrown away daily at their campus dining halls, while community members went hungry. Today, FRN is the largest student-led movement focused on recovering surplus food and combating hunger, with programs operating on over 200 college campuses and collaborating with 100 food businesses across 46 states and Washington, D.C.
To date, FRN has successfully recovered more than 22.9 million pounds of food, which is equivalent to 19 million meals donated to those experiencing hunger. Additionally, their efforts have prevented 7,419.5 metric tons of CO2 equivalent from entering our atmosphere.
Join the movement to end food waste: a heartfelt call
The movement to end food waste presents an opportunity for us to come together, reflect on our processes and habits, and explore how we can prevent waste while actively contributing to food recovery initiatives
A Heartfelt Call for Food Recovery
Food waste and food loss are pressing concerns that impact our environment, economy, and the communities we cherish. Companies and individuals waste money when food is wasted. The environment suffers when food is thrown into a landfill instead of being eaten. Forty-seven million people in the United States are experiencing food insecurity today because they do not have consistent access to food, while millions of pounds of perfectly good food are wasted. The cycle of wasting food can be corrected.
The movement to end food waste presents an opportunity for us to come together, reflect on our processes and habits, and explore how we can prevent waste while actively contributing to food recovery initiatives. We need to embrace food recovery strategies now, in our daily lives, because it is the right thing to do, it is the better thing to do, especially when the alternative is wasting money, resources, and dumping precious food when so many around us are suffering. We can all push for transformative changes within our food system within our county, state, and federal government. To push for that transformative change is not time-intensive, either!
When it comes to food waste in the United States, it is imperative that we work together to make food recovery the norm. It is going to take significant and small daily actions to make that happen. Please join me in taking some action now.
Creating Systemic Change Together
We must be advocates within our local communities and beyond—on federal, state, and county levels. Our voices will make a difference.1
1. Join local coalitions to ensure food recovery is included in local climate action plans.
I urge each of you to champion food system change. Engage with your local community to incorporate food recovery strategies into local climate action plans. Alarmingly, 38% of all food in the United States—237 million tons in 2023 alone—goes unsold or uneaten.
Integrating a food recovery plan is critical for any climate action initiative.2 The environmental toll of surplus food is significant; it involves the precious water used to grow it, the energy required for cooking and cooling, and the fuel needed for transportation.
Conduct an internet search to see if your county or town in which you live has a food recovery strategy as part of its strategic plan. You can search for their telephone number or email address. If your area has a recovery plan as part of the strategy, celebrate! Say thank you! Read the plan and see if it makes sense to you. If your area does not have a plan, you can ask when a food recovery plan will be incorporated into the strategy. If the person does not know, or they will not make changes to the strategy until the sunset of the current strategic plan, ask them to make a note that you would like a recovery plan to be considered.
2. Write your legislators to pass legislation that reduces food waste.
Advocating for federal legislation—like the Food Date Labeling Act—can be a powerful lever for systemic change. By implementing clear guidelines on food expiration, we can prevent large volumes of unnecessary food waste and create more opportunities for the reuse of food items. Reducing the confusion surrounding “expiration dates” means more food will be used effectively. Find your legislator and write to or call them, encouraging them to revisit the Food Date Labeling Act based on the recent public comment organized by the USDA. Remember, your elected officials want to hear from their constituents—you.
3. Help Food Recovery Network (FRN) expand chapters.
FRN harnesses the existing capacities of colleges and university students who have the ability to recover and move food to where it is needed. We connect our student leaders with farms, food businesses, and locations with food (event spaces, for example) that have precious surplus food. FRN equips our student leaders within the higher education institutions with the support, tools, mentorship, and training they need to establish food recovery operations in their local communities.
According to the EPA, better food procurement is the number one way to prevent food waste, and food recovery is number two. It's cost-effective, and it's just effective period. Our whole organization is built around increasing food recovery to be the norm through the power of college students. Our goal is simple: redirect surplus food from going to waste to feed people in our communities who need it the most.
Through our data-driven approach, FRN10X, we aim to expand our programs to locations with the greatest need for food access and the most opportunities for recovery. Said simply, we want to go to the places with the highest levels of food insecurity and the largest volumes of surplus food so we can move the food in those areas destined for landfill instead to the spaces where the food can be eaten.
When we replicate our model in these vital areas, we not only reduce food waste but also alleviate hunger and channel more resources, both human and financial, into local communities. Our approach enables us to feed more people faster.
By establishing habits and infrastructure for sharing and distributing food, we can build a resilient safety net in preparation for future challenges, and let’s be honest with ourselves, those future challenges are also the challenges of this very moment.
Find out if your alma mater has a chapter. If they do, support their efforts. If they don’t, reach out to a professor, an administrator, or friends you still have on campus. Put us in touch with that person, and we can help do the rest to launch a local chapter. Your word of mouth is powerful to ensure more food is recovered.
More than 200 chapters across the U.S.
A Personal Commitment to Change
1. Ask at every event—What will we do with our leftovers?
Leftovers are a natural part of celebrations. When we host a party, at large-scale events like conferences, reunions, we don’t want to run out of food. Celebrations are a natural place of high-quality abundance. By embracing this reality, we can ensure that high-quality food doesn’t go to waste at the end of the celebration, but instead serves those in our immediate communities who need it most. Make a plan for what to do. Food Recovery Network can help.
On a personal level, your commitment to food recovery can start with a simple yet profound question: “What will you do with the leftover food?” Each gathering, whether intimate or grand, offers us the chance to be mindful about our food use.
2. Hire Food Recovery Network
Make it your business to recover food by meeting corporate sustainability goals.
FRN’s Food Recovery Verified program helps large-scale events and businesses make a plan to donate high-quality food after events or as part of their regular business practice.
Our ongoing partnership with the Gaylord Resort and Convention Center in Washington, D.C., is a perfect example of the impact consistent event food recovery can have. FRN visits the Gaylord Resort every other week to pick up surplus food from events hosted at their location. Over the past year and a half, that’s meant 70,000+ pounds of food have made their way back into the extended DC community to feed families and individuals experiencing food insecurity. 70,000 pounds of food that didn’t get wasted.
And our recent Super Bowl tailgate celebration food recovery in New Orleans provided 12,348 pounds of high-quality food for the New Orleans Mission. That’s equivalent to nearly 11,000 meals.
3. Offer “to go” containers.
It’s simple: at every event and meeting, no matter the size, be sure to order takeout containers along with your plates and napkins. For smaller events, providing guests with containers to take home leftovers is an excellent way to reduce food waste. Bonus points if you avoid plastics and offer containers that can be composted later.
4. Make leftovers the celebration.
Lastly, normalize using leftover food. A friend of mine hosted a Black Friday party that encouraged people to bring their leftover turkey and desserts. Turkey was added to a crock pot with salsa and taco seasoning, and they were the start for delicious pulled turkey tacos. And of course, we all delighted in the desserts from other homes—half a pecan pie here, snickerdoodle cookies, bars, and buckeyes.
Your next potluck can be a leftovers potluck with the theme being - only bringing items that you need to use from your pantry and fridge.
Download Potluck Party Invitation
Take action today and tomorrow, and well into the future, to combat food waste and support food recovery initiatives in our communities. Start by making a personal commitment—whether it’s asking what will be done with leftovers at your next gathering, partnering with organizations like Food Recovery Network, or advocating for legislative changes. Each of us has the power to contribute to a more sustainable food system. Together, we can transform our collective efforts into meaningful change that reduces food waste and nourishes whole communities. Join the movement to make food recovery a priority, make food recovery the norm, and be a part of the solution. Your actions matter.