Food Recovery Program

Are you a restaurant or food producing business that has edible surplus food? Turn it into something meaningful by donating it to our Food Recovery Program! 😁

When you participate in the Food Recovery Program, your business or organization can:
- Receive potential tax benefits and potentially reduce waste disposal costs
- Support neighbors experiencing food insecurity
- Help reduce food waste and create a more sustainable community
- Be highlighted on our social media and/or newsletters

This program accepts prepared foods, produce, baked goods, or pantry items. Every pound of food recovered through this program helps keep good food out of landfills and on the tables of folks in our community. 💚

Ready to sign up for the Food Recovery Program? Sign up online or give us a call! Check the link in our bio to learn more about becoming a donor today!

Funded in part by a Public Participation Grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology.

It’s Volunteer Appreciation Week, and we’re sending a HUGE thank you to our incredible volunteers of our Food Recovery Program! 💚

Because of you, our community is fed, supported, and cared for in a big way—delivering over 233,000 meals in 2025 alone. You’re not just the heart of this work—you’re the driving force (literally!), getting meals where they need to go every single day. 🚗🥬

Ready to make an impact too? Check out our webpage (https://sustainableconnections.org/squatchfoodwaste/become-a-food-recovery-driver/) to learn more about how you can join our amazing community of volunteers. ✨

Funded in part by a Public Participation Grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology.

Join Our Team!

The application for our Food Recovery Program Coordinator VISTA AmeriCorps Member is open now! If you want to make a direct impact in your community by supporting food recovery efforts, this could be the opportunity for you. In this role, you’ll help strengthen the Food Recovery Program by expanding our network of donor businesses, growing our volunteer base, and building strong relationships with recipient agencies!

This position is open until filled - apply today! https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?fromSearch=true&id=128731

This is a 1 year Americorps Vista position that is hosted by Sustainable Connections. Wage is determined and paid through the Americorps position and includes a $7,000 education stipend.

Sustainable Connections

Meet The Recovery Café, one of the incredible recipients of our Food Recovery Program! 👋

Located at First Baptist Church on Flora St. in Bellingham, they prepare and serve over 10,000 meals each year to members of our community.

At the café, individuals in recovery—or those supporting loved ones in recovery—can enjoy a free meal and take part in weekly small-group check-ins that support their journey.

A huge thank you to our volunteers and donors who help make this donation possible!💚

Want to get involved? Visit our Food Recovery Program webpage to learn more: https://sustainableconnections.org/squatchfoodwaste/.

Funded in part by a Public Participation Grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology.

✨ Recipient Spotlight: WWU WHOLE Food Pantry ✨

We are excited to highlight one of our Food Recovery Program recipients, the WWU WHOLE Food Pantry! Surplus food donated by local restaurants and grocers helps WWU students stock their fridges with free, nutritious food.

Between 2,200 and 2,600 (often times even more!) students each week utilize this essential resource, highlighting the real impact food recovery can have!

Thank you to our volunteers and donors who make this work possible. Want to get involved? You can become a volunteer or donor of our program! See our webpage for more info: https://sustainableconnections.org/squatchfoodwaste/

Funded in part by a Public Participation Grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology.

Did you know we wrote a manual on launching a Freedge? 🙌🥕

After opening three successful Freedges, our Food Recovery Program team created the Freedge Manual! A comprehensive, step-by-step guide to help others replicate our model and get more good food into the hands of community members.

If you have ever thought about starting a Freedge where you live, this is a great place to start!

Check out this link below to learn how you can launch your own:https://sustainableconnections.org/wp-content/uploads/Freedge-Manual-for-Webpage.pdf

Funded in part by a Public Participation Grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology.

Big shoutout to our Food Recovery Program donors!

This work is possible because of our dedicated donors like helping boost holiday donations. We’re excited to welcome new donors , Hawaii BBQ and Noodle, and . We’re grateful to have them on board and willing to give back to the community while helping reduce food insecurity.

Thank you all!

This material is funded, in part, through a Public Participation Grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology. Ecology reviewed the content for grant consistency but does not necessarily endorse it.

Want to help out The Freedge? 💚

We’re looking for volunteers to support cleaning tasks, and we’d truly appreciate any help you’re able to give!

Freedge cleanup shifts are posted on our volunteer calendar every Thursday.

Interested in becoming a volunteer? Check out the link in our bio for more info!

This material is funded through a Public Participation Grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology. Ecology reviewed the content for grant consistency but does not necessarily endorse it.