302 Food Rescue to Help Reduce Food Waste and Feed More People through Technology

November 17, 2022

New app will connect volunteers with fresh food donations for local hunger-relief organizations

Built on a community collaboration between premier sponsor Bayhealth and collaborating organizations – the Food Bank of Delaware and American Heart Association & American Stroke Association– a first-in-the-nation statewide food rescue program, 302 Food Rescue, launched this morning at the Milford Food Lion.

Thanks to the power of technology and a smart phone app, 302 Food Rescue connects volunteers (302 Food Rescue Crew) with fresh nutritious foods from participating grocery stores, caterers, restaurants, and others and allows them to deliver to organizations that serve food-insecure individuals across the First State.

“When Bayhealth was approached to be the premiere sponsor of the 302 Food Rescue, we jumped at the opportunity to collaborate,” said Rosi Wurster, Senior VP and Chief Nurse Executive, Bayhealth. “Not having enough nutritious food to eat puts people at increased risk for heart disease, obesity, and other chronic conditions. Food-insecure children are also at higher risk for developmental problems and mental health concerns.”

“At the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association, we’re also focused on nutrition security – meaning we want our neighbors to not only have access to food, but access to healthy food such as fresh produce, proteins, and other foods that are low in sodium and sugar,” said Kimberly Holmes MSN, APRN, ACNS-BC, PCCN-K, President, American Heart Association Delaware Board of Directors, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Primary Stroke Program Coordinator, Bayhealth Medical Center. “Heart disease is the number one cause of death globally, nationally and here in Delaware. Stroke is the number three cause of death in Delaware. Eighty percent of cardiovascular disease and stroke cases can be prevented by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and one of these key factors is diet.”

The new 302 Food Rescue app is powered by Food Rescue Hero. Food Rescue Hero was purposefully designed to automate the time consuming and logistical challenges facing food rescue organizations. Food Rescue Hero enables scalable impact on food waste, food insecurity and climate change. Technology-coordinated, community-powered volunteer drivers are alerted when surplus food is available nearby to be picked up and delivered to a nonprofit serving people experiencing food insecurity.

“America has more than enough food for everyone to eat. But each year, billions of pounds of perfectly good food go to waste in our country, 302 Food Rescue will allow us to do our part here in Delaware to divert fresh food from the landfill and put it on the plates of those who need it most,” said Food Bank of Delaware President and CEO Cathy Kanefsky.

To learn more about 302 Food Rescue, becoming a food donor or to download the app to start rescuing food as a volunteer, visit www.302foodrescue.org.

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