Where it Comes From
Rescued food comes from grocery stores, wholesalers, farms, and markets—perfectly good items that are no longer sellable but still safe, nutritious, and needed. From surplus produce, to near-date dairy, or shelf-stable goods, we recover it before it’s wasted and deliver it to New Yorkers who need it most.
How It Works
Food waste exists at every level of food production—from farms to trucks to wholesalers to retailers. We intercept waste at every link in the supply chain to keep it out of landfills.
Every morning, our trucks hit the road to recover food from trusted retail and wholesale partners. We build strong relationships—showing up on time, with a smile, and keeping our word.
Once rescued, food is sorted and delivered to local food pantries, soup kitchens, and mobile fresh markets across the city. We also work with our network of close to 800 community partners to support local food recovery, helping them rescue good food from small retailers in their own neighborhoods.
Together, we’re driving food security and long-term sustainability for NYC.
What We Rescue
Rescued food is real food—fresh fruits and vegetables, meat and dairy, canned goods, and more. The only things we don’t take? Open packages, baby formula past its date, medications, and highly processed foods.
The Truth About Food Dating
Most “use by” and “best by” dates are manufacturer suggestions for retailers—not safety rules. Only baby formula, some medications, and milk require strict adherence to dating.
The best way to determine if food is good? Trust your senses: smell it, look at it, taste it. Learn how to trust your senses, reduce food waste at home, and stay safe.
Why It Matters
What we do is good for people and the planet at the same time. Food rescue means more than full plates—it means less waste, less methane in landfills, and less pressure on the planet.
By rescuing good food, we nourish New Yorkers, reduce one of the most harmful greenhouse gases and build a more sustainable future.
