CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Thousands of pounds of food on college campuses and restaurants are thrown away every year. A new non-profit in Charlotte is working to change that and help put leftover food to good use.
- Food Connection Charlotte collects unused food from colleges around the area and donates it to non-profits like the Salvation Army and Supportive Housing Communities
- The goal is to provide those most in need with a home-cooked meal, while also cutting down on the amount of food waste
- Food Connection Charlotte says since they opened in December 2018, they've already collected 2,000 pounds of food
Food Connection Charlotte collects unused food from colleges around the area and donates it to non-profits like the Salvation Army and Supportive Housing Communities.
The goal is to provide those most in need with a home-cooked meal, while also cutting down on the amount of food waste.
"I had no idea how much was being cooked, and how much was being wasted. They prepare all this food, and then you just assume kids are eating it," says Sue Hawes, one of the co-directors of Food Connection Charlotte.
Queens University is one of universities working with Food Connection. Shawn Kravis, the executive chef at Queens, says they'll collect about 200 pounds of unused food each week, and it feels good to give that food back to the community.
"If you're going to throw it away, why not give it to someone in need? It's a simple equation," Kravis says.
Food Connection Charlotte says since they opened in December 2018, they've already collected 2,000 pounds of food. They hope to get a permanent cooling storage system soon to help with any surplus food they may collect.