Lovin’ Spoonfuls is a non-profit food rescue organization that services the hungry and underprivileged communities in Boston and the MetroWest areas. By picking up nourishing, wholesome and perishable foods from partners such as grocery stores, farmers markets, produce wholesalers, caterers and bakeries – Lovin’ Spoonfuls is able to deliver nutritional items that would otherwise be discarded to shelters, soup kitchens and crisis centers in need.
With a focus on produce, Lovin’ Spoonfuls picks up “second-line” product i.e. slightly bruised apples, freckled bananas and other foods that no longer have salable or marketable value – or have been refused by restaurants and other vendors. Lovin’ Spoonfuls rescues this product and distributes it directly to soup kitchens and other crisis centers – bridging the gap between the incredible abundance of food available, and the ever-growing need.
Over 96 billion pounds of food is wasted each year – roughly 40 percent of all the available food in the United States. Just five percent of that wasted food would completely eradicate hunger nationally. Additionally, $1 billion is spent by taxpayers annually to incinerate this discarded, perfectly good food. The numbers astound our organization – and are quite clear in their message: there is enough food out there to help feed those who are hungry, and Lovin’ Spoonfuls is going to get it. Lovin’ Spoonfuls is closing the gap between abundance and need and causing a systemic change in all aspects of hunger relief.
Based on the successful templates of non-profits such as FoodRunners in San Francisco and City Harvest in New York City, Lovin’ Spoonfuls is the first organization of its kind in Massachusetts. Created in January of 2010, Lovin’ Spoonfuls has grown by leaps and bounds. To date, the Lovin’ Spoonfuls team has rescued and distributed over 600,000 pounds of fresh and healthy food to partner organizations across Boston.
There is enough food out there – let’s go get it!
Handling perishable and prepared foods requires attention to detail and compliance with the regulations set by the state of Massachusetts. Lovin’ Spoonfuls is ServSafe certified, trained in proper food handling, responsible and efficient.
