Food Recovery Network and Gaylord National Celebrate 100,000 Pounds of Surplus Food Saved

Celebrating a Major Milestone in Food Recovery

The Food Recovery Network (FRN) is delighted to announce that it is on the brink of a remarkable achievement: recovering almost 100,000 pounds of surplus food. This initiative has been made possible through a dedicated partnership with the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, which has proven highly effective in combating food waste while addressing hunger in the greater Washington D.C. area.

In just over two years since the partnership began in June 2023, FRN and Gaylord National have successfully collaborated with ten local hunger-fighting organizations, resulting in the provision of approximately 85,000 meals to individuals and families facing food insecurity. This collaborative effort showcases the impact of collective action in the fight against hunger and food waste.

Regina Harmon, Executive Director of the Food Recovery Network, expresses her enthusiasm: "Our partnership with Gaylord National has been transformative for our community. Each pound of food recovered not only alleviates hunger but also demonstrates the power of collective action. As we near the 100,000-pound mark, we invite everyone to join us in celebrating this mission to combat food waste and connect those in need with high-quality food."

Every other week, FRN's team collects surplus food from Gaylord National's culinary operations, where, on average, around 1,200 pounds of perfectly good food are saved each time. This food is typically generated from various meetings and events held at the resort, highlighting how a proactive approach can drastically reduce waste and provide necessary sustenance to those in need.

Chef Richard Snyder, the Kitchen Manager at Central Union Mission, a key partner benefiting from this program, emphasizes the importance of this collaboration. "With rising food costs and growing need, the support we receive from the Food Recovery Network is invaluable. The hundreds of trays of prepared, high-quality meals they provide each week allow us to serve almost all our breakfasts and many of our lunches for neighbors experiencing homelessness. Their dedication to reducing waste while nourishing our community strengthens our work daily, and we are deeply grateful for their partnership."

The Gaylord National is equally committed to sustaining this initiative and its environmental strategies. Ryan Verhulst, the hotel's manager, remarked, "Food recovery is essential for reaching our sustainability goals. As part of the Marriott family, we focus on nurturing our world and minimizing our environmental footprint. This includes reducing our food waste and increasing our contributions to the community. Partnerships like the one we’ve developed with the Food Recovery Network help us achieve our goals while giving back to local families in need."

As the countdown to the monumental 100,000-pound mark continues, everyone is encouraged to join in recognizing these achievements and participate in the journey of food recovery. For those interested in engaging with the Food Recovery Network, additional information can be found at foodrecoverynetwork.org.

Together, we can drive lasting change within our communities and positively impact the health of our planet. Would you like to be part of this food recovery effort or even witness the historic moment of reaching 100,000 pounds? For interviews or more details, please contact Sarah Corbin, Director of Communications.

FRN stands as the largest student-led movement in the United States dedicated to recovering surplus food and alleviating hunger. By uniting over 8,000 college students, food suppliers, farmers, and local businesses, FRN is actively fighting climate change and hunger by repurposing surplus food and donating it to local nonprofits that serve people experiencing hunger.