What Borderlands Produce Rescue does

Borderlands Produce Rescue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1996 in Nogales, Arizona, that rescues fresh produce rejected by distributors at the U.S.-Mexico port of entry and redistributes it to communities. Operating from a 13,000 sq ft warehouse with two cold rooms and a fleet of six tractor trailers, the organization intercepts produce that would otherwise be sent to landfills — Nogales handles roughly 60% of winter produce consumed in the U.S. and approximately 7 billion pounds annually — and has cumulatively rescued 750-850 million pounds since founding, with current annual throughput of 20-30 million pounds.

The organization's program portfolio is structured around three core functions: rescue (picking up rejected produce at Nogales and educating 4,000+ distributors on alternatives to dumping), redistribution (P.O.W.W.O.W. Saturday markets at 30+ partner-hosted sites across Arizona, Veggies R' Us warehouse pickup in Nogales, the Produce Travels program sending single-variety truckloads to food banks in 23 states, and Bendiciones/V.E.T.S. home delivery for elderly, disabled, and veteran participants), and recycling (the P.A.C. program diverting 3-5 million pounds per season to ranchers and composters). Supporting features include DUTA box reservations, DoorDash last-mile delivery within 10 miles of P.O.W.W.O.W. sites, a recipe-sharing community, and a Pay It Forward box-sponsorship program.

The revenue model is donation-based with no government funding. Streams include voluntary donations (each $25 funds ~450-750 lbs of produce rescue), suggested minimum contributions at events ($15-$17 per box at P.O.W.W.O.W., $20 DUTA, $15 DoorDash, $5 Veggies R' Us), Arizona Charitable Tax Credit contributions (QCO 20938, up to $495 single / $987 joint), Pay It Forward box sponsorships ($15-$300 tiers), and unrestricted donations. The organization has no proprietary technology, no SaaS product, and no app — operations run on logistics expertise, volunteer labor, and community partnerships.

Name

Borderlands Produce Rescue

Legal name

Borderlands Produce Rescue

Website

http://borderlandsproducerescue.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Borderlands Produce Rescue is a Nogales, Arizona-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that rescues fresh produce rejected at the U.S.-Mexico port of entry and redistributes it to Arizona communities, 23-state food bank networks, and vulnerable populations through P.O.W.W.O.W. markets, Veggies R' Us warehouse pickup, and home delivery programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Food Rescue and Redistribution Services

NAICS

Vegetable and Melon Farming (1112)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700), Wholesale-Farm Product Raw Materials (5150)

akta.pro primary industry

Product Take-Back & Reverse Logistics Programs (EUAIANAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fresh Produce Distribution (CRAOABAB), Fresh Produce Packhouses (Fruits & Vegetables) (AFAOAGAA)

Keywords

• Food rescue services
• Produce redistribution
• Food waste reduction
• Community food bank
• Fresh produce recovery

Headquarters

HQ city

Nogales

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: The primary revenue stream comes from donations and contributions from supporters. Each $25 donation allows rescue and redistribution of over 450 lbs of produce. Donations support transportation costs including diesel for fleet of 6 tractor trailers.
2. AZ Charitable Tax Credit Program: Borderlands Produce Rescue is an approved Arizona Charitable Tax Credit Organization (QCO Code: 20938) under the Diabetes Prevention and Aid Fund. Single filers can contribute up to $495, couples up to $987 for dollar-for-dollar tax credit.
3. Program Participation Donations: Revenue generated through minimum donations at P.O.W.W.O.W. events ($15-$17 cash), DUTA reservations ($20), DoorDash orders ($15), and Veggies R' Us warehouse pickups ($5 minimum). These are suggested contributions to support operations.
4. Pay It Forward / Sponsorship: Sponsors can donate to sponsor produce boxes for those unable to afford the minimum contribution. Options include $15 for 1 box, $30 for 2 boxes, $60 for 4 boxes, $150 for 10 boxes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Borderlands Produce Rescue rescues fresh produce rejected by distributors at the Nogales, AZ port of entry and redistributes it through community markets, direct warehouse pickup, and bulk shipments to food banks. The organization's core portfolio includes the P.O.W.W.O.W. (Produce On Wheels With-Out Waste) weekly market program with 30+ partner locations across Arizona, Veggies R' Us warehouse distribution, Produce Travels shipments to food banks in 23 states, and P.A.C. recycling of perishing produce to ranchers and composters.

Product overview

Borderlands Produce Rescue operates as a nonprofit food rescue organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs centered on rescuing, redistributing, and recycling fresh produce. The core offering includes the Produce Rescue program (picking up rejected produce from Nogales distributors), the P.O.W.W.O.W. weekly market program (primary redistribution via 30+ partner locations across Arizona), Veggies R' Us (direct warehouse distribution), P.A.C. (animal feed and composting), and Produce Travels (national food bank donations). Supporting services include DUTA box reservations, DoorDash delivery integration, recipe sharing, Pay It Forward sponsorship, and V.E.T.S. veteran support. The organization serves Arizona communities and 23 other states through physical events, partnerships with nonprofits, and direct distribution—offering no technology product or SaaS platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Produce Rescue Core program that rescues fresh produce from distributors at the Nogales, AZ port of entry before it is sent to landfills. Educates the produce industry to reduce waste and picks up rejected produce that cannot be sold due to cosmetic flaws or market fluctuations. Targets produce distributors and the broader supply chain.
• Borderlands' P.O.W.W.O.W. (Produce On Wheels With-Out Waste) Primary weekly redistribution program partnering with 30+ nonprofits and community groups across Arizona to host Saturday market locations (November through June). Participants make a minimum donation ($15-$20) and take home up to 70lbs of rescued produce. Operates via drive-thru, farmer's market, or DoorDash delivery formats.
• Veggies R' Us Direct client distribution program at the Borderlands warehouse in Nogales, AZ. Individuals make a minimum $5 donation and take home a shopping cart full of rescued produce. Includes direct client services (Tuesday-Friday, 9am-1pm) and agency distribution (Mondays) for registered organizations in Arizona and Sonora, Mexico.
• P.A.C. (Potpourri for Animals and Composting) Recycling program that donates 3-5 million pounds of perishing produce each season to local ranchers, composting groups, and mulching operations. Recycling partners pick up directly from the Nogales warehouse or at P.O.W.W.O.W. locations. Targets ranchers, composters, and sustainable waste operators.
• Borderlands' Produce Travels National distribution program that sends rescued produce to food banks and food-serving agencies across 23 U.S. states and Northern Mexico. Partner organizations send trucks to pick up 40,000lbs of single-variety produce when rescued produce has sufficient shelf life for travel. Targets food banks and food service agencies.
• Bendiciones Delivery Program Delivery program bringing produce to elderly and disabled individuals who cannot attend in-person distribution events. Provides companionship along with food delivery to vulnerable populations across Arizona.
• V.E.T.S. (Veterans Exact Thanks) Community engagement program supporting veterans in need. Monthly collection of non-perishable goods displayed at events with donations going directly to veterans serving programs in Arizona.

Quantifiable outcome

• 750 million pounds of produce rescued since 1996
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025TSMC partners with Borderlands for a second season of P.O.W.W.O.W. events at their facility. Events are reservation-only and hosted bi-monthly (November, January, March, and May). Pickup times are 8:00am-10:00am or 7:00am-9:00am depending on date. This partnership serves Northern Phoenix supporters.
• Children's Clinics TucsoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2023Children's Clinics hosts monthly P.O.W.W.O.W. distribution events every 4th Saturday of the month. Families can make a $15 donation for up to 70lbs of rescued produce. The clinic serves southern Arizona families with children through comprehensive medical home services.
• United Cerebral Palsy of Southern Arizona (UCPSA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2022Partnership to form a community produce market at UCPSA headquarters (630 N Craycroft Rd, Tucson). First monthly market launched February 26, 2022, from 8-11am. Aims to end food waste in the region while addressing food insecurity.
• DoorDashcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDoorDash partnership enables home delivery of rescued produce. Supporters within 10 miles of P.O.W.W.O.W. locations can make a $15 donation and receive up to 25lbs of rescued produce via DoorDash. Service is limited and requires pre-registration to determine eligibility.
• 30+ Arizona Non-profit and Community OrganizationscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorP.O.W.W.O.W. program partners with 30+ non-profits and community groups across Arizona to host weekly Saturday market locations. Partner organizations provide volunteers and hosting space. Includes churches, schools, and community organizations in Phoenix, Tucson, and surrounding areas.
• Arizona Department of CorrectionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince 1996, Borderlands has partnered with Arizona Department of Corrections to provide a job training site for 12 inmates every year. Inmates receive certificates and hands-on training in warehouse operations and distribution processes. Inmate artwork decorates the warehouse walls.
• Food Banks in 23 States (Produce Travels Program)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFood serving agencies in 23 other states adopt Borderlands' rescued produce as part of their programs. When produce has shelf-life to travel, partner organizations send trucks to pick up 40,000lbs of single variety produce for redistribution.

Scale indicators20 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Food Rescue US: National nonprofit food rescue organization that uses an app-based platform to connect volunteer drivers with surplus food donors. Directly comparable in mission (rescuing surplus food to reduce waste and address food insecurity), though Borderlands specializes in fresh produce rescue at a port of entry.
• FoodForward: Southern California-based food rescue nonprofit that recovers surplus produce from wholesale distributors and growers and redistributes to communities. Closest peer in operating model — intercepting produce from distributors and channeling it to those in need — though smaller in geographic footprint than Borderlands' 23-state reach.
• Rescuing Leftover Cuisine: National nonprofit that directly transfers excess food from restaurants and cafeterias to those in need. Comparable in mission and nonprofit structure, but focuses on prepared food from hospitality rather than fresh produce from distributors.

Broad incumbents

• Feeding America: National umbrella food bank network and the largest US hunger-relief nonprofit. Comparable as a food-rescue/redistribution organization but operates at vastly larger scale across all food categories, whereas Borderlands focuses exclusively on fresh produce at a single port of entry.
• Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona: Regional food bank that originally managed Borderlands before it became independent. Comparable as a food bank operating in the same Arizona region, but distributes a broader mix of food including non-produce items.

Regional players

• City Harvest: New York City food rescue nonprofit that rescues surplus food and delivers it to soup kitchens and food pantries. Operates the same fundamental model (rescue, redistribute, recycle) but is geographically limited to NYC while Borderlands is anchored to Nogales/ Arizona.
• Good Shepherd Food Bank: Regional food bank serving Maine with food rescue and redistribution programs. Operates the same rescue/redistribute/recycle model but in a different geographic territory and not specialized in produce from a port of entry.

Emerging players

• The Farmlink Project: Student-founded nonprofit that connects farms with surplus produce to food banks. Similar surplus-produce-to-communities thesis, but emerged more recently and lacks Borderlands' port-of-entry scale and 30-year track record.
• Imperfect Foods (Misfits Market): For-profit direct-to-consumer subscription service that sells "ugly" or surplus produce. Operates in the same surplus-produce category but for-profit D2C rather than nonprofit community redistribution, and serves only paying subscribers.
• Hungry Harvest: Subscription-based produce delivery service that sources surplus produce from distributors. Comparable in working with surplus produce distribution channels, but operates as a for-profit consumer business rather than a community redistribution nonprofit.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/BorderlandsPOWWOW
• Xx.com/borderlandfb
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/borderland-food-bank

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Borderlands Produce Rescue