In Elizabethtown, Kentucky, food insecurity remains a pressing issue. According to Feeding America, around 188,000 people in the region struggle to access enough food.
To combat this, Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland has launched its Food Rescue program. This initiative works with local businesses and community members to save safe, nutritious food that would otherwise end up in landfills. The food is then distributed to those in need.
“We see so much good food going to waste while families struggle to find meals,” said Charles Dennis, executive director of Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland. “Our Food Rescue Program aims to close that gap.” This initiative highlights the need to recover surplus food, reduce waste, and ensure everyone has access to healthy meals.
Surplus food typically includes items that are still safe to eat but have small imperfections or are nearing their sell-by dates. In 2024, food waste contributed to 9% of methane emissions in the U.S. Furthermore, about 16 trillion gallons of water were used to produce food that ultimately went uneaten, as reported by ReFED. In fact, 29% of the food supply in the U.S. is considered surplus, equating to 114 billion lost meals—enough to feed nearly a third of the population for an entire year.
To fight this waste, Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland collaborates with major retailers like Walmart, Dollar General, Food Lion, and Kroger. These partnerships help recover food that may not look perfect but is still edible. The retrieved food is sorted and stored in their facilities in Elizabethtown and Bowling Green. Last fiscal year, they redistributed over 5.5 million pounds of food, showing the significant impact of collaboration within the community.
Community members can help by supporting their Food Rescue program. For a monthly donation of $10, individuals can aid in rescuing 90 pounds of food, providing approximately 75 meals to those who are food insecure.
The fight against food waste and hunger continues to gain traction. Social media has seen many trends highlighting how loss of edible food impacts the environment. Those interested in making a difference can learn more about this crucial program at Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland.
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