Food Donations

We are now a Food Recovery Verified university!

In the United States, food waste and loss accounts for 30-40% of the food supply, and 18% of total methane emissions from the landfills. We employ a number of strategies to divert food waste, including source reduction efforts, surplus food donations, oil recycling, and pre- and post-consumer composting. Read more about our food recovery efforts here.

We have been partnering with the Inter-Faith Council in Carrboro on surplus food donations for over 15 years. We partner with UNC’s Food Recovery Network Chapter to donate surplus prepared foods from Lenoir Mainstreet, Beach Cafe, and Top of Lenoir. We donate 1-4 times a week depending on volunteer capacity, and typically donate over 300 pounds per week!

The Food Recovery Network is a student organization dedicated to recovering foods on college campuses. They coordinate pick ups with the CDS team, and deliver the food to the Inter-Faith Council. You can find more information, including how to join, on their Linktree.