In the United States, food waste and hunger remain paradoxically intertwined in 2025. Each year, tens of millions of tons of perfectly edible food are discarded, even as tens of millions of Americans struggle with food insecurity. The growing food rescue movement aims to bridge this gap by diverting surplus food to those in need—turning an environmental and economic problem into a humanitarian solution.
Sharing Excess, led by CEO Evan Ehlers, has emerged as a thought leader in this space, exemplifying the innovation and action needed to tackle these twin challenges. In this report, we examine the state of food rescue in 2025—exploring the scale of waste and hunger in the U.S., the major initiatives driving change, innovations and policies transforming the landscape, and how organizations like Sharing Excess are leading alongside giants like Feeding America and ReFED. We highlight key statistics, case studies, and opportunities for further engagement in the food recovery revolution.
In 2025, the U.S. continues to grapple with a paradox: vast quantities of food are wasted while millions remain food insecure. As of 2023, around 31% of all food went unsold or uneaten—approximately 74 million tons—representing an economic loss of $382 billion. This translates to 442 pounds of food waste per person per year. Beyond the economic toll, the environmental impact is staggering: food waste is the top material in landfills, producing 58% of landfill methane emissions and accounting for 4% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.
Simultaneously, 13.5% of U.S. households—approximately 47.4 million people, including 14 million children—faced food insecurity in 2023. This is a significant increase from the previous year. Despite the national goal set in 2015 to cut food waste by 50% by 2030, we are not on track. Currently, 85% of surplus food ends up in landfills or incinerators, and less than 1% is donated.
The scale of this challenge reveals a massive opportunity: rescuing even a fraction of surplus food could dramatically reduce environmental harm and feed millions. The food rescue movement aims to do exactly that.
The idea of rescuing surplus food and redirecting it to those in need has gained significant momentum. From college campuses to corporate boardrooms, food rescue has evolved from grassroots volunteerism into a robust, technology-enabled ecosystem.
Today, approximately 50–60 million pounds of food are rescued weekly—yet this is only a fraction of the estimated 148 billion meals worth of annual food waste in the U.S.
The alignment of federal, state, and local policies has created the most favorable environment yet for food rescue to thrive.
From national heavyweights to nimble startups, nonprofits form the backbone of the food rescue movement.
With 200+ food banks and 60,000 pantries, Feeding America rescues over 4 billion pounds of food annually and aims to increase this through its Food Rescue Challenge. Its platform, MealConnect, connects donors and recipients with unprecedented speed and scale.
ReFED acts as the data-driven strategist for the movement—tracking food waste trends, measuring emissions reductions, and guiding funding through tools like the Insights Engine.
Groups like City Harvest, Food Rescue US, 412 Food Rescue, and Food Recovery Network each focus on local recovery niches, often capturing smaller-scale surplus (like restaurant leftovers) that might otherwise be missed. Many collaborate directly with food banks and one another through shared tech and data.
Together, these nonprofits ensure that food rescue is not just scalable but also community-centered and adaptive.
Retailers like Kroger, Walmart, and Whole Foods have made “zero waste” pledges, donating billions of pounds of food. Many train staff to divert unsold perishables daily and have formal partnerships with nonprofits.
Apps like Too Good To Go, Flashfood, and Food Rescue Hero are transforming how food is matched with need—whether via discount resale or donation.
Investments in refrigerated trucks, solar-powered cold storage, and smart sensors have reduced spoilage and increased donation capacity, particularly for fresh produce.
Startups are repurposing food scraps and byproducts into snacks, sauces, and condiments—expanding the range of solutions for food that can’t be donated.
These innovations are vital: the private sector generates most food surplus, and their engagement determines how much is rescued versus wasted.
Born from a college dining hall swipe, Sharing Excess has grown into a national leader in food recovery.
Sharing Excess's efficiency—rescuing up to 20 pounds of food per $1 donated—has helped it rival long-established players and position itself as a scalable model nationwide.
By 2030, food rescue could be as normalized as recycling, driven by both policy and public support.
Food rescue is no longer a niche activity—it’s a vital, growing movement that addresses hunger, waste, and climate change all at once. Organizations like Sharing Excess, alongside partners like Feeding America and ReFED, are transforming how we think about food, charity, and sustainability.
Here’s how you can help:
Every rescued meal is a win for the environment and for families in need. Let’s make 2025 the year we commit to food rescue as a way of life.
Get involved today at SharingExcess.com – where excess feeds success.
Sharing Excess is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations are tax-deductible. Nonprofit Tax ID/EIN: 86-2161466. "Sharing Excess" is a registered trademark, all rights reserved.
