Food Rescue & Donations

Food rescue isn’t just about saving leftovers — it’s about transforming abundance into action. Food connects us, but it also carries responsibility. Behind every menu and meeting lies an opportunity to reduce waste, feed people, and strengthen the communities where we gather. Each year, billions of pounds of food go uneaten (about 40% of all food in the U.S.) while millions of Americans face hunger — a gap the events industry is uniquely positioned to help close.

As meeting and event professionals, incorporating food rescue into our planning is more than a sustainability practice — it’s an extension of hospitality itself. By partnering with local recovery organizations and building donation logistics into our operations, we ensure that the food we prepare doesn’t end with the event but continues to nourish those who need it most.

When we make food recovery part of the event experience, we create connection, purpose, and impact that lasts long after the final meal is served.

Below are trusted organizations, tools, and networks that make food recovery simple, safe, and scalable for events of any size. While many of these are national programs, you can also find local companies and nonprofits in the cities and towns where you meet that can help coordinate donations.

Thanks to the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act and the Food Donation Improvement Act (FDIA), donating surplus food is both safe and legally protected when done in good faith. These laws shield donors, venues, and caterers from liability, making it easier than ever to ensure that good food feeds people—not landfills. Listen to the Eating at a Meeting podcast, episode #289 to find out more.

Whether you’re donating after a single event or building an ongoing partnership, these resources can help you extend your hospitality beyond the ballroom and into the community.