DALLAS — Whole Foods Market is driving to the rescue of food insecure communities with its 50th donated refrigerated van.
The donation was made to the Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland, a community-based nonprofit that distributes millions of meals to those in need throughout the Greater Cleveland area.
Each donated van can rescue 20,000 pounds of food weekly, potentially diverting more than a million pounds of food from landfills annually.
The van donations help support local nonprofit organizations as part of the Austin-based grocery store's Nourishing Our Neighborhood program. The initiative launched in 2020 and works to expand the reaches of community-based food rescue organizations in the United States and Canada. To do this, the vans move food from where its available to where it's needed most.
“This van donation marks a significant step in Whole Foods Market’s commitment to nourishing local communities,” said Kera Glass, Team Leader for Community Giving and Engagement at Whole Foods Market. “Through these van donations, we’re not only ensuring more food reaches those in need but also making a lasting impact in reducing waste and fostering community well-being across 44 cities.”
The program supports local food rescue efforts in Dallas and Fort Worth, including a van donation to Minnie's Food Pantry in North Texas.
Whole Foods Market plans on expanding the program by introducing Ford E-Transit electric refrigerated vehicles and more mobile pantry events.
For more information about the Nourishing Our Neighborhoods program, click here.
