City Launches Food Rescue Program to Combat Hunger

New York City announced a new citywide food rescue program on October 7, 2024, designed to address food insecurity while reducing waste. The initiative, called “NYC Food Connect,” will collect surplus food from restaurants, grocery stores, and food distributors, redistributing it to food banks, shelters, and community fridges across the five boroughs.
“No one in New York City should go hungry while perfectly good food goes to waste,” said Mayor Eric Adams at the program’s launch in the Bronx. NYC Food Connect is expected to divert millions of pounds of food from landfills annually, providing nutritious meals to thousands of residents in need.
The program partners with local nonprofits and uses advanced logistics technology to streamline food collection and distribution. In addition to its environmental and social benefits, the initiative includes educational workshops to teach residents about food waste reduction and cooking with rescued ingredients.
Advocates applauded the program, calling it a win-win for the environment and the city’s most vulnerable populations. NYC Food Connect is part of the city’s broader sustainability goals, which include achieving zero food waste by 2030.