Reducing Food Waste, One Delivery at a Time

How Banquet Transforms Excess Food into Nutritious Meals

Food waste is a pervasive global issue that poses serious ethical, economic, and environmental challenges. In the United States alone, an estimated 35% of all food goes unsold or uneaten, translating into over 130 billion pounds of waste annually (ReFED, 2021). Paradoxically, millions of Americans face food insecurity, with the USDA reporting that over 10% of U.S. households experienced food insecurity in 2022.

Banquet exists to address this stark divide. Our nonprofit organization rescues surplus food and redirects it to those in need through a sophisticated logistics network. By partnering with food producers, retailers, and distributors, we ensure that nutritious, high-quality food reaches food-insecure communities rather than ending up in landfills.

The environmental impact of food waste is equally alarming. When food decomposes in landfills, it produces methane—a potent greenhouse gas. By rescuing food, Banquet not only alleviates hunger but also combats climate change. Each pound of food we save prevents an estimated 3.3 pounds of CO₂ emissions (FAO, 2013).

Our company endeavors to meet the needs of food insecure households by rescuing nutritious meals from across the nation. Banquet helps groceries, wholesalers, and restaurants realize their greatest impact by resolving food rescue logistical issues and empowering emergency providers.

Sources:

• ReFED (2021). Insights Engine: Food Waste in America.

• USDA Economic Research Service (2022). Household Food Security in the United States in 2022.

• Food and Agriculture Organization (2013). Food Wastage Footprint: Impacts on Natural Resources.