Blog
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Category: Table Talk
Posted: October 10, 2012 8:10 AM
Tags: Twisted Pine Brewery, Nora Leccese, Ideal Market, Hana Dansky, Get Involved, Family Learning Center, Caleb Phillips, Boulder Food Rescue, Becky Higbee, 20 days of giveaways
Get Involved: Boulder Food Rescue
A box of juicy raspberries reaches its sell-by date, and off the grocery store shelves it goes—right into the trash. The same is true for all perishable products that linger a bit too long: They're marked as waste and discarded. And yet, just as those raspberries are being tossed aside, members of our community go hungry for lack of nutritious food.
The equation seems simple; the solution obvious. And to Caleb Phillips, Hana Dansky, and Becky Higbee it was: Last August, the three co-founded Boulder Food Rescue a nonprofit which redistributes food “waste” to those in need. BFR, as it's called, effectively works to both eliminate hunger and wasted food.
BFR rescues perishable food, past its sell-by date, from local donors (grocery stores, bakeries) and immediately delivers it to organizations feeding those in need. In efforts to be truly sustainable, transport is done by bike. BFR bins, filled by donors, are picked up daily by volunteers, loaded into a bike trailer and immediately delivered to the recipient. To date, the group has rescued more than 180,000 pounds of food with the help of 122 volunteers and 19 donors. The straightforward model has expanded into other cities, including Denver, sparking food rescue programs nation-wide.
Rescued food includes a wide array of gourmet goods that would make any mouth water. Volunteer Nora Leccese (pictured) peddles 125 pounds of it from Boulder's Ideal Market to the Family Learning Center. The single trailer holds house-made hummus, large hunks of pecorino cheese, bagels, beautifully decorated cakes, organic mushrooms, and perfectly ripe nectarines.
Get Involved: BFR is always in need of bike-riding volunteers. Email info@boulderfoodrescue.org to learn more or email denverfoodrescue@gmail.com to get involved in Denver. Attend BFR's fundraiser on October 21 at Twisted Pine Brewery and raise a glass to the nonprofit. (Funds raised will aid Boulder and Denver alike). Or, simply donate online: $50 funds the construction of a bike trailer, $35 funds a large food transport bin, and $12 funds a small bin.
720-445-5237
THIS STORY WAS PART OF 5280's 20 DAYS OF GIVEAWAYS!
BFR- Community giving at its best.
Submitted by Kayde5280 on Wed, 2012-10-10 13:03.
As an employee of a retail food chain always looking for an organization to donate end-of-day food products, I know how logistics can prohibit even the most well-meaning of businesses. I am going to reach out to the Denver group and get our company involved today!
Community
Submitted by ekstrahand on Wed, 2012-10-10 13:02.
We all can learn from this and participate by lending a hand
Great idea!
Submitted by cline11163 on Wed, 2012-10-10 13:02.
Saving food, saving energy, and energizing the soul and body.
Bike's rule
Submitted by bbaker on Wed, 2012-10-10 13:02.
Great organization. Love that they are delivering in a no-nonesense way.
Too Many Sad Stories - Real
Submitted by bsajiremm on Wed, 2012-10-10 13:01.
There seems to be too many sad stories these days about folks in need. Each of us probably knows of someone who is in need. It sounds like this is a viable and sustainable solution to meet some pressing needs.
dimmable LED table light from STUDIO COMO
Submitted by mindykittay on Wed, 2012-10-10 13:01.
I love this light - I know just where to put it in my home :)
I love this idea
Submitted by conative66 on Wed, 2012-10-10 13:01.
This is such a great idea and I'm so glad someone got it rolling!
This great program should be
Submitted by ltrevino17 on Wed, 2012-10-10 13:00.
This great program should be across the country! I'm glad I now know of the organization and the fundraiser!
This warms my heart!
Submitted by happytobeme on Wed, 2012-10-10 12:52.
I wish we could get this going in Denver, too! You rock, Boulder Food Rescue! Keep up the great work.
I love that this is by bike!
Submitted by halliba on Wed, 2012-10-10 11:56.
I love that this is by bike! I'd love to see something like this happen in Denver.
Simply a Brilliant Idea
Submitted by olocke on Wed, 2012-10-10 11:29.
What a great service to people in need and a fun way to volunteer in the community. Is there a Denver Brach?
This is so awesome!
Submitted by karissajohnson17 on Wed, 2012-10-10 11:21.
I'm so glad people are not only helping others who are in need, but preventing a LOT of food go to waste. This is amazing.
Great People
Submitted by tmurray286 on Wed, 2012-10-10 11:15.
It is good to hear about people and how they make a difference in the world . Instead of just the bad news that fills the headlines and news reports.
Great Idea!
Submitted by MrsMunz on Wed, 2012-10-10 11:02.
When I managed a cafe, I was always so sad to thow away perfectly good food that wasn't technically 'fresh' anymore. So glad someone found a way to rectify this silly situation. Bravo! And the bikes are genius!
Donate!
Submitted by purpleline5280 on Wed, 2012-10-10 10:59.
While we are trying to win free stuff, this is a good way to balance the yin and yang of those that have and those that don't.
Amazing
Submitted by mykitten5683 on Wed, 2012-10-10 10:20.
What an amazing effort. So much goes to waste that is perfectly good to eat, its nice to see the food going to use and not thrown away.
Love this Kinda Stuff
Submitted by HelloPillow on Wed, 2012-10-10 10:04.
"Waste not; want not" - ya' hear!
Thank you BFR
Submitted by thirdharvest on Wed, 2012-10-10 09:59.
It's really nice to read about people making a real difference.
Thank you!
amazing Idea!
Submitted by cmbertelson on Wed, 2012-10-10 09:46.
Thank you fo sharing and getting the word out about their fundraiser, I am going to try to attend!
Great way to help!
Submitted by katy.salach on Wed, 2012-10-10 09:17.
What a great way tio help the community, specially this area that is hundreds of needy people.
Thank you BFR for your efforts!!
Boulder Food Rescue
Submitted by sunshineacm13 on Wed, 2012-10-10 09:11.
Is there anything like this in Denver - What a good thing to do!!!!
Great idea
Submitted by denisej on Wed, 2012-10-10 09:02.
This group sounds like they know what they are doing. I'll donate.
Light
You are the sunshine of my life!
Very cool
Great cause!
Incredible !!
This program is outstanding !!
What a great cause!
Yay Boulder Food Rescue
Such a shame that so much food goes to waste. Thanks Boulder Food Rescue for the amazing job you do!
Fantastic Idea
I used to work in the restaurant business and it would break my heart to see so much food go to waste. When my shift ended, I'd secretly go and make a plate of food (food I knew would get discarded) and give it away to a homeless. I never even thought about it with grocery stores. What a great way to feed those in need. Thanks for sharing.
Great action
Way to take action Boulder Food Rescue.
Oct 21st @ Twisted Pine