What is the City Harvest Project?
City Harvest rescues perfectly good, nutritious food that would otherwise go to waste and delivers it for free to New Yorkers experiencing hunger. WE BELIEVE THAT NO NEW YORKER SHOULD GO HUNGRY. This project has been a cornerstone of support in New York City for over 40 years, ensuring that surplus food from farms, grocers, wholesalers, manufacturers, and restaurants finds its way to those who need it most. It is a mission that combines compassion with a practical solution to two significant challenges – hunger and food waste. The effort to redirect high-quality food that might otherwise be discarded is impressive… and it really underscores the idea that a community that cares can make a difference.
Main Benefits: Key Figures & Facts
The impact of this initiative can best be seen through some striking statistics:
- 50% of working-aged households in New York City are struggling to make ends meet.
- 200K New York City residents could lose access to SNAP, particularly aging adults, due to recent federal cuts.
- 1 in 4 children in New York City don’t know where their next meal will come from.
- Average monthly visits to NYC food pantries and soup kitchens are up 85% compared to 2019.
Understanding Food Rescue
Food rescue is the process of redirecting high-quality food that might go to waste to people who need it. In the United States, nearly 40% of the food that is produced is wasted. Much of this food is high-quality and healthy to consume. By redirecting that food to neighbors in need, City Harvest is fighting hunger and food waste through food rescue. It’s an approach that marries environmental responsibility with a clear commitment to social equity. There’s a certain rhythm to this effort – a flow from surplus to sustenance – that feels both natural and urgently necessary.
How City Harvest Rescues Food
Nearly 1,600 generous food businesses, including farms, grocers, wholesalers, manufacturers, and restaurants, donate excess food to City Harvest. Their fleet of 23 food rescue trucks, including three tractor trailers, is on the road seven days a week, picking up from food donors and dropping off at a network of 400 food pantries, soup kitchens, and community food programs. The 150,000-square-foot home in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, is designed to accommodate the growth of food rescue operations to meet current and future levels of need for food assistance in the city. Drivers deliver this rescued food – free of charge – to various distribution sites, ensuring that fellow New Yorkers have access to fresh, nutritious foods that fit their cultural, religious, and dietary needs. Support is provided to partner agencies through grants, training, and equipment. It’s a dynamic system that works tirelessly, almost like a well-oiled machine, to bring essential aid where it’s needed most.
Food Rescue & the Environment
A significant benefit of the project lies in its environmental impact. Food waste is the single biggest material placed in municipal landfills, and it causes an estimated 58% of methane emissions from these landfills – a key contributor to climate change. This year alone, City Harvest will divert more than 86 million pounds of food from landfills, stopping 25.4 million kilograms of CO₂ from entering the atmosphere… It’s not just about feeding people; it’s also about giving back to the planet. The approach recognizes that reducing waste and minimizing emissions go hand in hand with creating a healthier, more sustainable community.
Cultural & Nutritional Inclusion
City Harvest is committed to sourcing culturally desired foods that meet the preferences, dietary, and religious needs of New Yorkers from all backgrounds. More than 70% of the food rescued and delivered is fresh produce, and specific programs like their kosher and halal food rescue initiatives ensure that New Yorkers with specific dietary needs also have access to nutritious, culturally appropriate food. This year, plans include rescuing and distributing 7.9 million pounds of kosher food to community food programs, in addition to over 1.9 million pounds of halal food across the city. It is an effort that transcends simple food distribution, building bridges between diverse communities and celebrating cultural heritage through the simple act of sharing a meal.
Project Impact
- SDG 2: Zero Hunger – ensuring no New Yorker is left without nutritious food.
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption & Production – reducing food waste and promoting sustainable practices.
- SDG 13: Climate Action – curbing methane emissions and cutting down CO₂ release from landfills.
- SDG 3: Good Health & Well-being – supporting healthier community diets through access to fresh produce.
The Broader Vision of Community Support
Beyond the immediate distribution of rescued food, the City Harvest project embodies a larger vision of building resilient communities. The program not only delivers food to those in need but also provides invaluable support to partner agencies – offering grants, training, and equipment to help them serve New Yorkers more efficiently. By prioritizing the needs of both people and the environment, the initiative creates a model of urban support that is both innovative and profoundly necessary in today’s challenging climate. The story is one of persistence, community spirit, and a shared responsibility to nurture the lives and well-being of every New Yorker… indeed, it is a blueprint for how cities can rally together to protect and support their most vulnerable residents.
