Cape Cod Cooperative Extension (CCCE) is partnering with the national food recovery nonprofit, Food Rescue US, to reduce food waste for the region. This collaboration connects CCCE’s existing network of food donors through Food Rescue US’ web-based app, boosting support for the County’s food recovery efforts by redistributing fresh, nutritious, donated surplus food throughout the Cape. The Food Rescue US technology partnership is at no cost to the County. 

Carol Shattuck, CEO of Food Rescue US, shared, “We are proud to partner with Barnstable County, Regional Government of Cape Cod to enhance their food recovery efforts. Food insecurity rates have increased in recent months due to inflation, and as a result, our sites are getting more calls from receiving agencies asking for food than ever before. Through our award-winning web-based app and large network, we aim to bolster the food recovery efforts of Barnstable County so that together we can rescue and provide more meals to the increasing number of people in need in their community."  

CCCE supports a structurally strong network of farmers, farmers’ markets, seafood providers, food pantries, non-profit organizations, faith-based groups, and in-kind delivery services to assure food access for the Cape’s vulnerable populations.  The combined efforts of these partnerships have helped mitigate the negative impact of food insecurity throughout the region. 

Andrea Marczely, CCCE’s Food Access Coordinator, stated, “We are excited to participate in this new food recovery initiative for Cape Cod. Food is one of the leading materials in our landfills and has a significant impact on our environment. Cape Cod is home to approximately three dozen food pantries, and all have worked tirelessly to meet the ever-increasing food insecurity demands of the region. However, we are seeing a shortage of food in the food pantries due to increased food pantry services and challenges with food supply chain distribution because of high fuel costs and a shortage of workers and volunteers. This new initiative will help us to address these challenges by redirecting food before it becomes waste. We look forward to working closely with Barnstable County’s Health and Human Services, our community partners, and businesses on Cape Cod.”

ABOUT FOOD RESCUE US
Food Rescue US, a national nonprofit organization, is a leader in reducing both hunger and food waste in America by connecting the vast amount of healthy, fresh surplus food with the critical hunger demand. Through the use of its proprietary web-based app, Food Rescue US engages volunteers to transfer excess fresh food from grocers, restaurants, and other sources to social service agencies that feed individuals and families who are food insecure. By providing food that would otherwise be wasted and delivering it to organizations involved in food security efforts, Food Rescue US is preventing wasted food from ending up in landfills where it decomposes, creating methane gas that warms the planet. For more information, visit www.foodrescue.us and follow us on Linkedin, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Tiktok at @FoodRescueUS. To sign up, go to our web-based app at https://app.foodrescue.us/login.

ABOUT CAPE COD COOPERATIVE EXTENSION
Cape Cod Cooperative Extension is the education department for Barnstable County. Educational programs focus on agriculture, marine resources, horticulture, aquaculture, natural resources, water quality, recycling, household hazardous waste, nutrition, food safety, youth development and environmental education issues facing the county. Extension programs are conducted in Barnstable County in cooperation with the staff at the University of Massachusetts, and The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution–Sea Grant program. www.capecodextension.org