FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: From Surplus to Sustenance – How Food Rescue Is Helping Fill Washington’s Growing Hunger Gap

Inside a community‑driven approach that turns rescued food into a reliable resource for people facing food insecurity, housing instability, and rising costs of living.

Seattle, WA – As food insecurity rises across Washington, Northwest Harvest is seeing sustained, elevated demand across its statewide network of food bank partners. At the organization’s SODO Community Market, a powerful, practical solution is taking shape: food rescue—redirecting surplus ready‑to‑eat (RTE) food to people who need meals immediately and may lack access to kitchens.

Starbucks FoodShare is one way that solution reaches Washington communities. Launched nationally in collaboration with Feeding America® and regional hunger‑relief partners, FoodShare diverts unsold, ready‑to‑eat items—like sandwiches, Protein Boxes, and pastries—from landfills and gets them to people who need them.

“Food rescue works when people can count on it,” said Carlos Jimenez, Northwest Harvest’s Director of Procurement. “When ready‑to‑eat food shows up reliably—and when it’s stored and distributed with care—it becomes a meaningful part of how people meet their basic needs, not just an occasional supplement.”

Since 2020, Northwest Harvest has participated in FoodShare, which, in addition to helping move RTE items to community organizations, has also enabled upgrades in cold and frozen storage, safety systems, and distribution capacity—so rescued food can be handled safely, consistently, and at scale.

In a country where 66 billion pounds of food are wasted annually even as 44 million people face hunger, the need for efficient food rescue is clear. In 2025 alone, Northwest Harvest redirected 1.06 million pounds of RTE food through the FoodShare program—a 30% increase over 2024—equivalent to roughly 880,000 meals (1.2 lbs = 1 meal). Nationally, FoodShare and related efforts have helped provide more than 121 million meals since 2016, alongside over $100 million invested in hunger‑relief and $6.7 million directed to local food banks.

Impact on the Ground: Partner Voices

The nine community organizations that partner with Northwest Harvest to distribute rescued food through the FoodShare program consistently emphasize its importance, particularly for people experiencing housing instability.

Eloise’s Cooking Pot

Ready‑to‑eat food fills critical gaps for organizations like Eloise’s Cooking Pot, serving neighbors without reliable access to cooking facilities.

“Food access has to meet people where they are,” said Founder Ahndrea Blue. “For many of the people we serve, ready‑to‑eat food isn’t a convenience—it’s a necessity. When it’s available consistently, it makes a real difference in people’s day‑to‑day lives.”

Food Connection

For Food Connection, a long‑standing community provider in Pierce County, rescued food helps offer high‑quality meals with dignity.

“We’ve consistently heard what a difference this food makes for the people we serve,” said Dawn Whiteman of Food Connection. “Unhoused neighbors tell us the sandwiches feel like a treat—high‑quality food they wouldn’t otherwise have access to. And the vegetarian options matter, too. That kind of choice and dignity makes a real difference.”

GoodRoots Northwest

At The Market by GoodRoots Northwest, rescued ready‑to‑eat items meet practical needs—and, at times, help young people feel like they belong.

“One mother shared with our volunteer that the Starbucks ready-to-eat sandwiches we receive through Northwest Harvest meant everything to her teenage daughter,” said Stacey Crnich, CEO of GoodRoots Northwest. “She warms the sandwich at home, then slips it into a saved Starbucks bag so she can walk into school feeling like everyone else. It’s a small act, but it carries enormous dignity. When a local store manager Alicia Cloyd heard this story, she donated a case of bags so other students could experience that same sense of belonging. Rescued food does more than nourish. It can also restore confidence, dignity, and connection.”

Statewide Need Continues to Rise

The stories from partners reflect a broader reality across Washington: demand for food assistance is growing in nearly every community. Rising living costs, unstable benefits, and wages that don’t keep up with inflation continue to strain single parents, working families, seniors, and multigenerational households.

“Benefit instability is a major driver,” said Carmen Mendez, Director of Northwest Harvest’s Food Access Network. “About 13% of 2026 trend reports cite SNAP delays or reductions, which cause immediate spikes in food bank visits.”

Partners also report surging demand for no‑cook, ready‑to‑eat food, especially among neighbors staying in shelters, vehicles, or other temporary housing. At the same time, food banks face persistent supply gaps in proteins, dairy, shelf‑stable goods, and culturally relevant items. Weather disruptions, transportation barriers, school meal gaps, and fears related to immigration enforcement further complicate access for many households.

In this landscape, consistent sources of rescued food—like those provided through the Starbucks FoodShare program—play an increasingly important role, offering immediate, dependable ready‑to‑eat options. For Northwest Harvest, food rescue is one essential tool to end hunger: a reliable, scalable way to meet urgent needs while supporting long‑term food system equity.

About Northwest Harvest

Northwest Harvest is a food justice organization operating statewide in Washington with a network more than 375 food and meal programs, schools, and community-based organizations. Focused on improving equity in our food system, Northwest Harvest believes everyone in Washington should have consistent access to nutritious food that nourishes their body and affirms their culture.

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Media Contacts

Northwest Harvest:

• Natasha Dworkin, 206-715-1696, natashad@northwestharvest.org

Partner Contacts (for interviews):

• Ahndrea Blue, Eloise’s Cooking Pot, 253-212-2778, ahndrea@themadfseattle.org
• Dawn Whitehead, Food Connection, 253-361-9943, dawnw@foodconnection.org
• Stacey Crnich, GoodRoots, 253-303-5909, info@goodroots.org