144 Million Pounds Rescued: How Midwest Food Bank Reduces Waste and Fights Hunger

Each year, millions of pounds of edible food go unused. In 2024, Midwest Food Bank recovered more than 144 million pounds of surplus food, redirecting it from landfills to nonprofit partners serving families and individuals in need. This effort is outlined in the organization's latest Annual Impact Report, which also notes that $526 million worth of food and resources were distributed at no cost to more than 2,400 nonprofit partners.

"Food rescue is not just about reducing waste—it's about getting food into the hands of those who need it most," said Brian Zink, Procurement Director at Midwest Food Bank.

According to the USDA, up to 30-40% of the U.S. food supply is wasted. Much of this is perfectly edible but may not meet packaging standards or sell before expiration dates. Midwest Food Bank works with food manufacturers, distributors, and grocers to redirect this food toward communities experiencing food insecurity. 

Key partners supporting these efforts include:

• Kellanova
• WK Kellogg
• Nestlé
• Convoy of Hope
• Feed the Children

O

Volunteers play a key role in keeping food moving efficiently. They help sort, repackage, and distribute items at all 10 Midwest Food Bank locations across the U.S. In 2023 alone, the organization received over 5 million pounds of bulk food, which was repackaged into manageable sizes by volunteers before being distributed through nonprofit agencies.

Founded in 2003 in central Illinois, Midwest Food Bank has expanded to serve 25 states through 10 domestic locations, and it supports communities in Haiti and East Africa through two international sites. Unlike many food programs, Midwest Food Bank provides food free of charge to its nonprofit partners, allowing smaller organizations to serve more people without straining their budgets.

There are several ways to get involved and support the Midwest Food Bank mission:

• Volunteer at one of the 10 U.S. locations.
• Donate to help cover transportation and logistics.
• Partner as a food donor if you're part of the food industry.

O