The Journey of a Rescued Meal
How Food Travels from Shelf to Plate with Banquet
The process of food rescue involves a complex but efficient supply chain that transforms surplus into sustenance. At Banquet, we pride ourselves on the precision and care with which we handle each step of this journey.
Identification: The process begins at the source—grocery stores, restaurants, and wholesalers. These partners identify surplus food items that are nearing expiration or overstocked, which can be easily transported to a nonprofit partner that can serve the community.
Creation: Utilizing the Banquet app, our food partners can create a rescue by inputting the various items by quantity or weight. These items are sorted into shelf-stable, perishable, and non-food categories so that we can appropriately identify the partner that can use all of the goods.
Collection: Once the correct party has been selected by our collection algorithm, our team rescues these items using our delivery network of qualified drivers. We’ll arrive at your location within 15 minutes so that we can maximize the consumption timeline.
Distribution: Using cutting-edge routing software, Banquet optimizes delivery routes to minimize fuel consumption and reduce emissions. This ensures the food reaches local food pantries, shelters, and community centers quickly and efficiently.
Documentation: Banquet ensures accurate environmental and impact tracking for our retail and nonprofit partners. We aim to create a circular economy so that our supply partners are reimbursed for their donations; food providers are well-stocked to meet the needs of their community; and beneficiaries are given nutritious, quality goods.
This streamlined process is supported by robust technology and a passionate team at Banquet. The result? A system that provides immediate hunger relief while reducing waste.
Sources:
National Resource Defense Council (NRDC) (2017). Wasted: How America is Losing Up to 40 Percent of Its Food.
ReFED (2021). A Roadmap to Reduce U.S. Food Waste by 20 Percent.
