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sustainable-farming
16May
2017
Food Waste  •  0 comment

How Food Delivery Subscriptions are Combatting Food Waste


Food delivery services are popping up everywhere these days! Companies like Hello Fresh, Blue Apron, Green Chef, and more are helping busy people prepare exciting, healthy meals at home. BoxedMealz (see Facebook page) suggests that these meal-kit subscriptions provide a more nutritious alternative to eating out and an easier option than meal planning. Additionally, food delivery subscriptions are also helping fight America's food waste problem.

Food Waste in the U.S.

According to the USDA, nearly 40 percent of the United States' food supply is wasted each year. That equates to about 133 billion pounds of food costing around $161 billion! Food waste is a big problem not only for those Americans with food security problems but also for the environment. Landfills are piled high with food items and pollutants are released into the air to transport food that never gets eaten. [caption id="attachment_94" align="aligncenter" width="796"]By delivering pre-portioned ingredients Blue Apron helps cut down on food waste that clutters our landfills. By delivering pre-portioned ingredients Blue Apron helps cut down on food waste that clutters our landfills.[/caption]

Meal Subscriptions Combat Waste

Luckily, meal prep subscriptions are helping to combat this problem in their own way. The most obvious way they achieve this is by sending you only the amount of each ingredient you need. When you buy ingredients at the store, chances are you get more than you need for a dish so you are forced to either figure out multiple ways to use it or let it go to waste. Having just enough pre-portioned ingredients for each dinner ensures no food gets tossed in the trash. In fact, one study shows that 62 percent less food is wasted by meal prep facilities than by consumers who would use the same ingredients from a grocery store.

Sustainable Ingredients Without the Middle-Man

Some companies, like Blue Apron, even go a step further. Because subscribers must order ahead of time, meal delivery services know how many orders they must fulfill each week. Blue Apron and other meal services work closely with farmers to let them know how much of each crop they will need. This way, farmers will not grow more food than the company demands, which is another major source of food waste. Sending produce and meat directly to the consumer also eliminates waste by cutting out the grocery store middleman. Retailers are forced to throw out tons of food each year when it rots on their shelves before consumers can buy it. [caption id="attachment_95" align="aligncenter" width="741"]Food delivery cuts out the grocery store middleman. Food delivery cuts out the grocery store middleman.[/caption]

Other Sustainability Measures

Many meal delivery subscriptions also have other features that help save the planet. For example, providing only sustainable seafood and using recyclable packaging help reduce the strain on the environment. Cutting down on the carbon emissions and the volume of boxes and bags used to transport food from wholesalers to retail stores are just a few more perks of getting meal kits delivered straight to your home. If you want to do your part to reduce food waste, consider signing up for a food delivery subscription. You can check out a comprehensive list of food delivery services at boxedmealz.com which also allows users to filter for companies committed to sustainable seafood, farm-to-table, and other plan features. With pre-portioned, pre-cut ingredients, no food scraps end up in the garbage. Not only will you get tons of tasty new recipes to try, you will save yourself time at the store and won't have a bunch of extra food you don't know what to do with. Help yourself and the environment by trying this fun foodie trend!   Read more...

TAGS: food, meal delivery, pre-portioned ingredients, subscription, sustainability

Move for Hunger Program
10Mar
2017
Hunger  •  0 comment

What to Know About the Move for Hunger Program


Hunger doesn't just exist in third-world countries; it’s a problem that’s seen everywhere around the world, including the United States. And since most of those who suffer from hunger can tend to be embarrassed or hide their situation from others, this issue could be affecting your friends, co-workers, or even family members without you knowing it. Around 1 in 6 Americans have trouble putting food on the table, which means many people that you know could struggle with hunger. With a low economy, job market, and annual income, it’s becoming harder for those in poverty to receive the help that they need. Thankfully, Move for Hunger is an organization that’s working to find creative solutions to end hunger in the United States. Here are a few things to know about the Move for Hunger program.

A Brief History

In 2009, founder and executive director Adam Lowy created Move for Hunger after realizing how much food gets wasted when people move from one house to the next. By 2010, the organization had collected and donated 50,000 pounds of food to those in need. And after three years of service, the team had gathered a whopping one million pounds of food to give away. In 2013, Team Move was created to participate in nationwide races to raise donations and awareness for hunger and invited anyone who was interested in joining the team. Two years later, the organization launched a corporate housing program that helps provide shelter and basic necessities to those who need it.

What the Organization Does

Move for Hunger teams up with moving companies across the country to collect non-perishable food items when people are about to move. Cheap Movers NYC (cheapmoversnyc.net) says there are dozens of New York moving companies that participate in the program who will drop off donations for free as a part of their regular moving service. After receiving all unwanted items, the organization then donates the food to local food banks, where it’s then sent on to families who are in need.

How to Get Involved

For those who aren’t planning on moving anytime soon, Move for Hunger still has ways to support the cause. The organization gives opportunities for volunteers to host food drives, where neighborhoods can come together to donate non-perishable food items to the program. Volunteers can also start a fundraiser to help support Move for Hunger’s continued work in cities and communities. For those who are looking to get even more involved, the organization also offers internships in management, social media, and marketing. Move for Hunger also encourages you to contact your elected local representatives or attend city council meetings to show your support in ending hunger in your community. Read more...

TAGS: food, hunger, move for hunger, program, volunteer

Food Bank
23Feb
2017
Hunger  •  0 comment

Reasons to Volunteer at Your Local Food Bank


Choosing where to volunteer for charity can be a very personal decision and is usually based on a cause or issue that evokes a passionate response. Volunteering at a local food bank is one way that you can help those in your area who are in need of the most basic item in life: nourishment. For those of you who would like to donate your time to a local food bank, but are unsure as to what it entails or how you can make a difference, here are a few reasons why you should check out your nearest volunteer opportunity at a food bank today.

A Rewarding Experience

Volunteering at a food bank can be one of the most rewarding experiences in life. You’ll be able to witness first-hand how your efforts are helping those in the area, and many times, you’ll also have the opportunity to form friendships with those who regularly come to the program. Many volunteers find it exceptionally rewarding to help families with children or elderly family members who are struggling to provide healthy food for those who need it most. Many of these people are faced with tough decisions on where to spend their money on a low-income budget. By volunteering at a food bank, you’ll be able to help families use their money to pay their bills and other expenses while still having access to healthy foods. [caption id="attachment_77" align="aligncenter" width="980"]Volunteering at a food bank helps others to receive healthy food. Volunteering at a food bank helps others to receive much-needed healthy food.[/caption]

A Way to Provide Relief

Not only do food banks help those who need assistance with feeding their families with daily meals, but they also help communities who have undergone traumatic events. In times of desperation after natural disasters or other devastating situations, food banks can step in and look after families and individuals who have suffered loss. We saw this first-hand a few years ago when Hurricane Sandy hit New York and local communities rallied together to provide food to victims who lost their homes. Where there are floods, fires, or other tragedies, food banks may be the only source of nutrition for those who have lost most of their household belongings and property. By volunteering in a time of crisis, you can help provide families and individuals with much-needed nutrition in the midst of tragedy.

An Important Cause

Food banks are essential to many families who can't make ends meet on their own. Did you know that one out of six Americans doesn't get enough food to eat? Serving as a volunteer at a local food bank can allow you to drastically change the life of an individual by helping provide access to healthy and nutritional food. Whether you’re packing food boxes for distribution, handing out food in a food pantry, or are working in a disaster relief area, these common jobs add up to a large impact for those who need help in your community. Read more...

TAGS: How to Volunteer, Volunteering at a Food Bank, Why Volunteer

Downtown
15Feb
2017
Hunger  •  0 comment

How You Can Help the Hungry in Your New York City Community


While many people travel abroad to help those who are hungry or sick, there are many hungry Americans just down the street in the neighborhoods and communities that are all around us in the United States. In New York City alone, it’s estimated that over 60,000 people are homeless and suffer from a lack of food. This statistic doesn't include the thousands more who live below the poverty line and consistently struggle to put food on the table. If you’re looking to get involved in your neighborhood to help those who are in need, here are a few organizations and programs where you can volunteer, donate, or meet with to help the hungry in NYC. A big thank you to Imperial Movers for their contributions to this post. These Manhattan movers are passionate about making New York City a better place to live by serving the community with excellent moving services and volunteering in their spare time.

The Relief Bus

Operating exclusively on a volunteer basis, The Relief Bus was started by Richard Galloway in 1989. Each day, the bus parks in several locations throughout the city and welcomes anyone who wants to come and help out. At each spot, volunteers will hand out soup, cake, water, and toiletries to those in need, and offer haircuts and counseling sessions as well. If you don’t have time to volunteer where the bus is scheduled to park, you can help aid the program by donating to the cause.

The Family Center

The Family Center addresses the issue of hunger in NYC by assisting those who’ve been through a medical crisis and have significant financial difficulties. When lower income families experience substantial injuries and accumulate large medical bills, it can be hard to pay for everyday items such as groceries. The Family Center helps in this area by providing medical resources, family support services, financial aid, and counseling for those in need. Volunteers can be a part of the center’s buddy program, leadership council, corporate events, or toy and holiday drives. [caption id="attachment_68" align="aligncenter" width="980"]Volunteering at an organization can help fight hunger in your neighborhood in NYC. Volunteering at an organization can help fight hunger in your neighborhood in NYC.[/caption]

Coalition for the Homeless

The Coalition for the Homeless is one of the country's oldest and most respected groups helping the needy in NYC. Not only does the program help feed and clothe the city’s homeless population, but it also provides jobs for people who need them as well. With the program’s aid, homeless individuals can earn a decent wage, have a place to stay, and receive regular meals while they get back on their feet. And for those who are interested in volunteering, get ready for an eye-opening experience in feeding and supporting those on the streets.

Interfaith Assembly on Homelessness and Housing

If you or one of your loved ones have ever been homeless, you may want to consider volunteering at the Interfaith Assembly on Homelessness and Housing. This organization helps to partner a homeless family with a volunteer who has gone through the same struggle to encourage and empower those who have fallen on hard times. With resources and community support, the program aims to pull others out of poverty with the help of those who have been in similar situations. And with mentorships, internships, or advocacy events, the organization has many different ways that you can help your NYC community. Read more...

TAGS: Help the Hungry NYC, Homeless Programs NYC, Volunteer New York City

Sandwich
27Jan
2017
Hunger  •  0 comment

Statistics on Hunger in the U.S. and Ways You Can Help


The United States of America might be the richest country in the world but surprisingly, it is still filled with citizens who struggle to make ends meet. Millions of Americans live below the poverty line, and their lack of funds makes it difficult to afford basic living necessities, such as food. In fact, one out of every six people in the country regularly doesn’t get enough to eat. Over 42-million people live in households where there’s not enough food available. The most alarming part of these hunger statistics is that out of all of these people, 13-million of them are children. The main reason for this is that the vast majority of them are being raised by single mothers who have a hard time paying for food, bills, and childcare on just one income. Some of the children are also in households where their parents often have to go hungry so that their children can eat. [caption id="attachment_57" align="aligncenter" width="980"]Many children in the United States don't have enough food to eat and are effected by hunger. Many children in the United States don't have enough food to eat and are effected by hunger.[/caption] But young people are not the only ones being affected by hunger. Nearly 10-million senior citizens that are over the age of 65-years old go hungry as well. This is often because they want to hide their struggle to make ends meet and use the little resources that they have on others. Luckily, there are several ways to help those who are struggling with hunger. If you’re looking to get involved in your community and make a difference in the lives of others, here are a few things that you can do.

Donate Non-perishables

Not all Americans who struggle with hunger receive help from government food assistance programs, and those who do qualify receive might only receive a few dollars worth of food per month. Because of this, an increasing number of people are turning to food banks to help feed their families. Food banks rely heavily on public donations, and by contributing non-perishables to a food bank in your neighborhood or district, you can help provide for those in need. [caption id="attachment_58" align="aligncenter" width="980"]Consider donating your time and resources to your local food bank. Consider donating your time and resources to your local food bank.[/caption]

Donate Funding

To ensure that there’s enough food for the needy, food banks often have to purchase extra non-perishables from major food bank distributors. Since these items aren’t free, they depend on donations from the community to help cover the costs, especially during the summer months when there are less canned items that are donated. More people contribute to food banks during the holidays than during the rest of the year. To help out during the spring and summer seasons, consider donating money to your local food bank for supplies.

Donate Time

Food banks are always in need of volunteers to sort and distribute food. If you have a few hours in your schedule that you can spare, try volunteering at your neighborhood food bank. If your schedule is too hectic to volunteer, you can still help out by collecting canned goods at your workplace or business to drop off. Simply set up a box in your workplace with a sign taped to it explaining what the collection is for. Then, drop off the items at your local food bank. Together we can make a difference fighting hunger! Read more...

TAGS: Fight US Hunger, Hunger Facts, U.S. Hunger Statistics

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