Schools
NCA&T State University makes historic strides in food recovery
NCA&T is the first HBCU in North Carolina to become an official chapter of the Food Recovery Network
North Carolina A & T State University (NCA&T) is the first HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) in North Carolina and third in the U.S. to become an official chapter of the Food Recovery Network (FRN).
Aggie Dining, managed by Sodexo, is overseeing the program.
With more than 230 chapters nationwide, FRN is the largest student movement against food waste and hunger in America. Instead of being wasted, surplus perishable food is recovered and donations are made to local churches and hunger relief organizations.
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In just three months, the student-led organization at NCA&T donated a total of 310 lbs. of surplus food to the Greensboro Urban Ministry from Williams Dining Hall.
“We, at Urban Ministries, appreciate the food that is delivered to us a week,” said Darrell Campbell, director at Potter's House Urban Ministry. “The food is used to feed the homeless. It is a great help for us at Urban Ministries because it helps conserve much needed funds and time. Food Recovery Network at North Carolina A&T State University is a reliable source for us.”
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Efforts to reduce food waste and hunger in the Greensboro community continue to grow on campus and the goal is for the student group to become an official university organization.
"Since being involved in Food Recovery Network, I feel like I finally found my calling by donating surplus food from my campus and into the community,” said student Heaven Jordan who is majoring in Senior Food and Nutritional Sciences. “I didn't realize the impact until a resident at Greensboro Urban Ministry's said he was relieved we brought prepared food. I already knew that we were living in a food desert but it was eye-opening to witness it first-hand. I am just so happy that I can help the community even if it's just providing a hot meal to these beautiful souls."
For more information, contact Jennifer Maroney at Jennifer.Maroney@sodexo.com or 336-285-2013.
PHOTO CAPTION: Aggie Dining Executive Chef, Fernando Tinoco (second from left), helps NCAT Food Recovery Network Members (from left to right) Heaven Jordan, Porsha Washington and Keyanna Draper, prepare surplus food from Williams Dining Hall to help fight waste and feed the hungry.