Company : Roche Bros. Supermarkets
Program category : 2021 Food

Origins:

In an effort to prevent food waste and ensure that good food reaches people who need it, Roche Bros. began their partnership in 2016 with Lovin’ Spoonfuls, Massachusetts' largest food rescue operation, serving roughly 50 cities and towns across the Commonwealth. Their partnership with Lovin’ Spoonfuls allows perishable food that is no longer considered saleable to be picked up and delivered, same day, to nonprofits across the region serving people facing food insecurity: from pantries and meal programs, to shelters, addiction treatment and recovery programs, senior centers, after-school programs, and more.

Contribution:

Eight Roche Bros., Brothers Marketplace, and Sudbury Farms locations partner with Lovin’ Spoonfuls to rescue food that reaches 65 nonprofit partners in 11 cities and towns. In 2020 the brands contributed a combined 693,953 lbs.' worth of fresh, healthy food (enough for 555,162 meals) to Lovin' Spoonfuls. In 2021, they've already contributed 542,636 lbs. (enough for 434,108 meals).

Objectives:

Lovin’ Spoonfuls is dedicated to facilitating the rescue and distribution of healthy, fresh food that would otherwise be discarded throughout Greater Boston, MetroWest, Hampden County and beyond. Breaking new ground in the food rescue movement, they connect community resources by linking grocery stores, produce wholesalers, and farms to local meal programs and social service entities serving those in need.

Impact:

In 2020 alone, the brands contributed a combined 693,953 lbs.' worth of fresh, healthy food (enough for 555,162 meals) to Lovin' Spoonfuls. In 2021, they've already contributed 542,636 lbs. (enough for 434,108 meals). Consistent with the commitment to meet the nutritional needs of neighbors facing food insecurity, the top categories of donated food from Roche Bros.' brands are: dairy, produce, and bakery products, like bread.

Quote:

"Roche Bros. was already clearly committed to doing what was best for the environment with their waste practices before partnering with Lovin' Spoonfuls. In partnering with us, though, they've ensured they're working to keep the value in food by connecting it to people in their community." Lauren Palumbo, Lovin' Spoonfuls COO.

"Importantly, though, Roche Bros. doesn't stop short at donating product. Roche Bros., Brothers Marketplace, and Sudbury Farms' team members have taken an active interest in food rescue: from engaging in ride-alongs with their Food Rescue Coordinators to get a flavor for how the team operates, to participating in the filming of a Lovin' Spoonfuls' training video to showcase vendor best practices around food recovery, to encouraging expansion into new communities by highlighting opportunities to partner with Roche Bros.' brands, this partnership is genuinely meaningful to Lovin’ Spoonfuls and the communities they serve and supportive of Roche Bros.' clear commitment to reduce waste." - Lovin' Spoonfuls

Support Statement:

"Importantly, though, Roche Bros. doesn't stop short at donating product. Roche Bros., Brothers Marketplace, and Sudbury Farms' team members have taken an active interest in food rescue: from engaging in ride-alongs with their Food Rescue Coordinators to get a flavor for how the team operates, to participating in the filming of a Lovin' Spoonfuls' training video to showcase vendor best practices around food recovery, to encouraging expansion into new communities by highlighting opportunities to partner with Roche Bros.' brands, this partnership is genuinely meaningful to Lovin’ Spoonfuls and the communities they serve and supportive of Roche Bros.' clear commitment to reduce waste." - Lovin' Spoonfuls