Food Rescue US

What Food Rescue US does

Food Rescue US is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2011 in Fairfield County, Connecticut and headquartered in Stamford, CT. Originally launched as Community Plates and renamed Food Rescue US in 2017, the organization operates a direct-transfer food rescue model in which volunteer "food rescuers" use their personal vehicles to pick up surplus fresh food from grocery stores, restaurants, corporate cafeterias, and event venues, and deliver it directly to social service agencies serving food-insecure populations. The organization operates 51 active sites across 25 states and Washington, D.C., and since founding has delivered 166M+ meals and kept 199M+ pounds of excess food out of landfills, with a current annual run-rate of 35M+ meals rescued.

The operational backbone is a proprietary web-based application that connects three constituencies in real time: food donors list available surplus inventory by quantity, type, and pickup window; social service agencies publish their food needs and storage capabilities; and volunteers self-schedule single or recurring rescues through the app. The platform includes impact analytics (pounds rescued, meals delivered, breakdown by food type, volunteer engagement) and is supported by a 90-day structured Site Director onboarding program with ServSafe certification required of all site leaders. The proprietary technology is also offered under a licensee model to other 501(c)(3) nonprofits running food recovery programs, providing training, support, and analytics as a turnkey software stack.

Revenue is generated exclusively through philanthropic channels typical of a 501(c)(3): individual donations (with employer matching, donor-advised funds, and gifts of appreciated stock), corporate sponsorships and partnerships (Lockheed Martin, Synchrony, Northern Trust, Wegmans, Coastal Bridge Advisors, CAVA, Chick-fil-A, Tauck, 1% for the Planet, and others), an annual tiered fundraising gala (Celebrate Food Rescue US, 15th anniversary in May 2026), and licensee fees from other nonprofit organizations using the platform. Distribution combines self-serve use of the web app by volunteers and donors, direct field engagement by local Site Directors with enterprise food donors, and a licensee channel that resells the platform under partners' own brands (e.g., Feeding Charlotte, Columbus Food Rescue, La Soupe, Keep Austin Fed, Waste Less Solutions, DC Food Rescue).

Name

Food Rescue US

Legal name

Food Rescue US

Website

https://foodrescue.us

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Food Rescue US is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that uses a proprietary web app to connect grocery, restaurant, and corporate food donors with volunteer rescuers who deliver surplus food to social service agencies, operating 51 sites across 25 states and Washington, D.C.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Food Rescue Services

NAICS

Community Food Services (624210), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Emergency and Other Relief Services (62423)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Food Assistance & Food Banks (BPAGAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Emergency Food Assistance & Nutrition Response (BPADADAE), Food Assistance & Safety Nets (In-Kind, Vouchers, Cash Transfers) (BPADAJAA), Food & Nutrition Assistance Programs (BPAIAKAF)

Keywords

• Food rescue services
• Volunteer coordination platform
• Surplus food redistribution
• Nonprofit technology licensing
• Food waste reduction

Headquarters

HQ city

Norwalk

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Direct donations from individuals supporting the organization's mission. The organization promotes matching gifts through employer programs and encourages donors to specify if they want funds to support a specific location. For volunteer-led sites, the first $2,000 raised annually supports local needs directly, with funds beyond that strengthening under-resourced or emerging sites.
2. Corporate Sponsorships and Partnerships: Corporate partners provide financial support, volunteer opportunities, and collaborative marketing. Partners receive exposure through social media, monthly newsletter (26,000+ recipients), and partner highlights during in-person events. Contributions are tax-deductible as the organization is a 501c3 nonprofit.
3. Corporate Partnerships - Revenue Generation: Food Rescue US partners with the business community to further the mission of ending hunger and food waste. Corporate partners can engage through donations, employee volunteer programs, and marketing partnerships.
4. Licensee Fees: Organizations pay an affordable fee to license the proprietary web-based app for their food recovery programs. Licensees gain access to ongoing training, support, analytics tools, and become part of a national network of peers sharing best practices.
5. Annual Gala and Special Events: Annual fundraising events such as the Celebrate Food Rescue US gala featuring silent auctions, corporate sponsorships at various levels (Presenting, Platinum, Gold, Silver), and ticket sales.
6. Wire Transfers and Donor-Advised Funds: Accepts donations via wire transfers and donor-advised funds for larger contributors.
7. Gifts of Stock: Accepts gifts of appreciated stock from publicly traded securities as a tax-efficient way to support the organization.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Food Rescue US operates a proprietary web-based application that enables volunteer food rescuers to transfer fresh, surplus food from local businesses (restaurants, grocers, corporate cafeterias, farms) directly to social service agencies serving food-insecure populations. The platform supports real-time scheduling, volunteer self-sign-up, donor and agency coordination, and impact reporting. The organization also licenses this software to other 501(c)(3) nonprofits and supports the launch of new local sites through a Site Director program and 90-day training curriculum.

Product overview

Food Rescue US operates as a single unified platform—its proprietary web-based app—that serves as the central technology powering a national network of food rescue locations. The platform connects food donors, volunteer rescuers, and social service agencies to facilitate the direct transfer of surplus food. Additional offerings include licensee software for partner nonprofits seeking to use the platform, and a Site Director program providing infrastructure and training for launching new locations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Food Rescue US Web-Based App Award-winning proprietary web-based application that connects food donors who list surplus food with social service agencies that communicate their food needs, while volunteers sign up for rescues and self-schedule pickups and deliveries. Provides real-time scheduling, multi-user coordination across donors, rescuers, and receiving agencies, comprehensive reporting and analytics on total meals rescued, pounds of food, and food type breakdown.
• Licensee Software (Platform Licensing for Other Nonprofits) Licensed version of the Food Rescue US proprietary web-based app offered to other 501(c)(3) nonprofits engaged in food recovery. Licensees gain access to ongoing training, support, analytics tools, and become part of a national network of peers sharing best practices. Used by licensees including Waste Less Solutions, Wasteless Solutions, and other regional food recovery organizations.
• Site Director Program (Site Launch Infrastructure Package) Comprehensive infrastructure package for launching new Food Rescue US local sites, including 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, comprehensive insurance, volunteer onboarding and training, CRM and data management, and templated marketing tools and digital assets. Targets community members interested in launching food rescue programs in areas without existing Food Rescue US presence.
• 90-Day New Site Director Training Program Structured onboarding curriculum for new Site Directors featuring bi-weekly coaching sessions with Food Rescue US staff, building-block modules covering all aspects of food rescue program operations, and culminating in a fully operational site with leadership team, donor network, and volunteer schedule. Includes ServSafe certification requirement for all Site Directors.

Quantifiable outcome

• $1 donated = 20 meals rescued and delivered
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers23 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

34 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, moderate and core.

• NY Road Runners (NYRR)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerNYRR logo appears on Food Rescue US website as a valued supporter, indicating partnership or sponsorship relationship supporting the organization's mission.
• 1% for the PlanetminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEnvironmental pledge organization supporting Food Rescue US through membership, indicating commitment to environmental causes and sustainability.
• SynchronymoderateGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor providing financial support and employee volunteer opportunities. Synchrony logo appears on Food Rescue US website among valued supporters.
• Lockheed MartinmoderateGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting Food Rescue US mission. Lockheed Martin logo appears among valued supporters on the organization's website.
• Whole FoodscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor food donor partner providing surplus grocery items including produce, prepared foods, and other items that would otherwise go to waste. Multiple Whole Foods locations participate across Food Rescue US operational areas.
• Trader Joe'scoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegular food donor partner in multiple locations including South Florida, Fairfield County, and Southwest Florida. Trader Joe's stores donate surplus food including produce, bakery items, and prepared foods.
• TauckminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting Food Rescue US mission. Tauck logo appears among valued supporters.
• ReFEDmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood waste policy organization and data partner. ReFED produces annual U.S. Food Waste Reports and research that Food Rescue US references and contributes to. Featured in Food Rescue US South Florida's Member Spotlight.
• UpsideminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner organization supporting Food Rescue US. Upside logo appears among valued supporters on the organization's website.
• Civic InitiativesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCivic Initiatives logo appears among valued supporters of Food Rescue US.
• World Central KitchencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHumanitarian food organization partnering with Food Rescue US - Southwest Florida. During Hurricane Ian recovery, picked up leftover meals to redistribute to local shelters and food pantries. Ongoing partnership for meal rescue.
• Food Donation ConnectioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNational linking organization connecting Food Rescue US locations with major restaurant donors including Capital Grille, Outback Steakhouse, Wawa, and Olive Garden for food rescue operations.
• Grace Klein CommunitymoderateChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNonprofit partner in Birmingham, AL using Food Rescue US platform to facilitate local food recovery work under the feedBHM initiative.
• Feeding CharlottemoderateChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner organization in Charlotte, NC led by Executive Director Rich Armenia, using Food Rescue US platform for food recovery operations.
• Columbus Food RescuemoderateChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner organization in Columbus, Ohio using Food Rescue US platform. Led by Susan Swinford and Emily Rials at Local Matters.
• La SoupemoderateChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner organization in Cincinnati using Food Rescue US platform. Led by Ali Ulanski, focused on food rescue and recovery.
• JEE FoodsmoderateChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner organization in Hamilton, Ohio using Food Rescue US platform. Led by Ryan Bailey.
• Waste Less SolutionscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLicensee organization using Food Rescue US technology to manage food rescues. Founder and Executive Director Dana Williamson credits the platform with enabling scaling of operations.
• Thriving Grant CountyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner organization in Grant County using Food Rescue US platform. Led by Ashley Shirley.
• GoodwillNMIminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner organization in Traverse City, MI (GoodwillNMI Food Rescue) using Food Rescue US platform. Led by Theresa Smith.
• The Food Bank of DaytonmoderateChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner organization in Dayton, Ohio using Food Rescue US platform. Led by Justin Young.
• Wasteless SolutionsmoderateChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner organization in Utah (Box Elder County, Salt Lake City, Summit County, Weber County) using Food Rescue US platform. Led by Alexx Goeller and Julianne Carone.
• Keep Austin FedmoderateChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner organization in Austin, TX using Food Rescue US platform. Led by Lisa Barden.
• iHave iNeed, IncminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner organization in Lehigh Valley, PA using Food Rescue US platform. Led by Jeffrey McCary.
• Cocoa PacksminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner organization in Hershey, PA using Food Rescue US platform. Led by Megan Moffet.
• ICT Food RescueminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner organization in Wichita, KS using Food Rescue US platform. Led by Stephanie Merritt.
• TC Food JusticeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner organization in Minneapolis, MN using Food Rescue US platform.
• Bread Break SFminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner organization in Sioux Falls, SD using Food Rescue US platform. Led by Pam Cole.
• Michigan State University FAST LabmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with MSU's FAST Lab for food systems research and collaboration. Featured in The Detroit News, the partnership convened a symposium with leaders across industry, nonprofit, government, and academia to tackle food waste reduction and food access equity.
• World BankmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured in CBS Evening News alongside DC Food Rescue site. The World Bank partnership involves collaboration on food rescue and climate initiatives.
• Monumental Sports & EntertainmentcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCorporate partner donating nearly 1,000 pounds of food from Capital One Arena to Food Rescue US - DC. Regular source of prepared food from corporate cafeteria for direct transfer to agencies.
• CAVAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor for Celebrate Food Rescue US 15th Anniversary Gala event. CAVA logo appears among corporate sponsors.
• Chick-fil-AminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor for Celebrate Food Rescue US 15th Anniversary Gala event. Chick-fil-A logo appears among corporate sponsors.
• WegmanscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFood donor partner for Food Rescue US. Wegmans Norwalk Store Manager Tyler Wilcox featured in Food Rescue US Fairfield County programming.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Wholesome Wave: Nonprofit focused on improving access to affordable fresh produce for underserved populations. Comparable mission (fresh food access for food-insecure households) and prior employer of Food Rescue US's VP of Programming Sandy Steigbigel.
• ReFED: U.S. food waste policy and data nonprofit that produces the annual U.S. Food Waste Report. Not a direct operator but is a strategic data/research partner of Food Rescue US and a key source of the food waste statistics the organization cites.

Direct peers

• FoodCloud: Ireland-based social enterprise that uses a tech platform to connect food businesses with charities to redistribute surplus food. Closely comparable technology-platform-driven direct-transfer food rescue model, though operating primarily in Europe.
• Food Donation Connection: National linking organization that connects restaurant donors (Capital Grille, Olive Garden, Wawa, Outback Steakhouse) with food rescue operations — and is already an active partner of Food Rescue US. Highly comparable as a direct food donor-to-agency routing intermediary.
• 412 Food Rescue: Pittsburgh-based food rescue nonprofit using a tech platform to connect donors, volunteers, and recipient agencies in a direct-transfer model nearly identical to Food Rescue US. Closely comparable operating model, technology approach, and mission focus.
• City Harvest: New York City's largest food rescue organization, rescuing surplus food and delivering it free to hundreds of soup kitchens and food pantries. Directly comparable mission and operating model to Food Rescue US, though concentrated in NYC.
• FoodForward: Southern California-based food rescue organization that recovers surplus produce and prepared food and distributes it to agencies serving food-insecure communities. Closely comparable direct-transfer model, geographic complementarity, and similar tech-enabled volunteer approach.
• Rescuing Leftover Cuisine: National food rescue nonprofit that uses volunteer-driven direct transfers to redirect surplus food from restaurants and businesses to shelters and pantries. Directly comparable volunteer-led, tech-enabled direct-transfer model.

Broad incumbents

• Too Good To Go: Global B2C app-based marketplace that connects consumers with surplus food from restaurants and grocers. Comparable in mission (reducing food waste) and tech-platform approach, but operates as a for-profit marketplace rather than a nonprofit volunteer model.
• Feeding America: The largest U.S. hunger-relief nonprofit, operating a nationwide network of 200+ food banks. Highly comparable to Food Rescue US as a food assistance and food recovery organization, but operates at far greater scale using a warehouse-based model rather than direct-transfer.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/foodrescueUS
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/foodrescueus
• Facebookfacebook.com/FoodRescueUS
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/food-rescue-us
• Instagraminstagram.com/foodrescueus

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles21 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Food Rescue US