Story Search Results

Advanced Search

There are so many ways to search the solutions journalism stories in this database. Explore our searchable fields:

Search Results

You searched for: -

There are 134 results for your search. View and Refine Your Search Terms

How saving uneaten food can change lives and help the climate

Laura Paddison

August 11, 2021 |

BBC |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Houston, Texas

Fresh Hub was created by twin high school sisters to address food insecurity and the environmental impact of food waste. Volunteers collect unsold food from grocery stores and bakeries and give it to residents living in “food deserts.” They use a smartphone app and automated messages to alert residents when food is available, which is distributed at community centers. Partnering with Second Servings, a nonprofit already doing similar work, allowed them access to vans, equipment, and important insight. Since 2017, they have led 23 events, kept 15,200 pounds of food out of landfills, and served 1,900 people.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Farm-to-table took off during the pandemic. Is it here to stay?

Stan Finger

July 14, 2021 |

The Kansas Leadership Center Journal (KLC Journal) |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Kansas

As the COVID-19 pandemic hit and grocery store shelves became bare, many consumers sought to purchase meat directly from farmers. The Shop Kansas Farms group on Facebook has more than 148,000 members with about 800 producers who are selling their goods. While there needs to be more education for farmers on how to sell their livestock and for consumers on the intricacies of buying from processors, people in other states are creating their own groups to better connect consumers to vendors.

Read More
Go to Original Story
How this donation app helped get food directly to hungry people during the pandemic

Talib Visram

June 02, 2021 |

FastCompany |

Podcast |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

“DoorDash for the food insecure” is how the founder of Food Rescue Hero describes the service that is connecting surplus food supply to those who can put it to good use. The service takes on a growing crisis of food insecurity while also diverting food from landfills. The initial pilot was created in Pittsburgh, where a team of experts created an app to redirect surplus food from restaurants and events to nonprofits that can get the food where it is most needed. A network of volunteers is notified when deliveries in their area are ready for pickup without much inconvenience to their daily routines.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Food waste is heating up the planet. Is dumpster-diving by app a solution?

Katie Yoder

May 25, 2021 |

Grist |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Seattle, Washington

The app Too Good to Go helps restaurants and other shops prevent food waste by selling their extra food to people for a cheaper price. So far, more than 700,000 people in the United States have downloaded the app and the company estimates that, on average, each meal sold halts 2.2 pounds of food from ending up in the garbage, which ends up reducing carbon emissions. There are challenges to widespread implementation, but the app has launched in New York City, Boston, San Francisco, and Seattle.

Read More
Go to Original Story
In a first for the region, Hannaford says its grocery stores have achieved zero food waste

Janelle Nanos

April 20, 2021 |

The Boston Globe |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Scarborough, Maine

The Hannaford supermarket chain has achieved their goal of creating zero food waste. Over the past year, they diverted 65 million pounds of unsellable products to food banks, de-packing facilities, and anaerobic digestion facilities where it’s converted to energy. The grocery store is also making adjustments to how it purchases and sources food and how it’s displayed with the hopes of extending the food’s shelf life.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Corn Farmers Upend Tradition to Reduce Air Pollution

Lilette A. Contreras

April 10, 2021 |

Global Press Journal |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Mexico, Cuauhtémoc, Chihuahua

After a drought left cattle farmers in Mexico without grass to feed its animals, a unique partnership with corn farmers allowed them to use their leftover stalks and leaves. Usually, the farmers burn these materials, known as stover, which contributes to air pollution. This partnership was facilitated by the government and allowed the corn farmers to sell their leftovers to the cattle farmers. As a result, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide emissions dropped significantly, and a new market for these materials is emerging.

Read More
Go to Original Story
The mechanical stomach powering homes by digesting old food scraps

Gian De Poloni

March 27, 2021 |

ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) |

Broadcast TV News |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: Australia, Cockburn

The electricity powering 3,000 Perth homes might have started out as moldy bread and rotting lettuce. The city of Cockburn collects food waste from supermarkets and restaurants to be fed into a mechanical "stomach" that converts the waste to energy. Methane is trapped and used to power electric generators. The remainder of the "digested" food is turned into compost and liquid fertilizer. The operation has recycled 43 tons so far, removing 81,000 kilograms of gases that otherwise would escape landfills and warm the atmosphere.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Food waste: stories of inclusion and a sense of community

Paola Oriunno

March 21, 2021 |

News48 |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Italy

Italian initiatives to combat food waste are connecting surplus food producers with those who need it. The volunteer-run groups have raised awareness of waste and food insecurity, built connections and places of food exchange, and have recovered and saved over 600 tons of food.

Read More
Go to Original Story
From Waste to Resource

Anna Romandash

March 02, 2021 |

Transitions Online |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Ukraine, Lviv

A Ukrainian initiative connects excess food with people who are struggling financially and need it. Grocery stores often throw out perfectly good food that isn’t expired yet but will be soon. This initiative prevents food from going to the landfill while also addressing food insecurity in the community.

Read More
Go to Original Story
How Banana Waste Is Turned Into Rugs, Fabric, And Hair Extensions

Jacqueline Baylon

February 19, 2021 |

Business Insider |

Video |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: Uganda, Kampala

A Ugandan company called TEXFAD is taking the stems from banana trees that would normally go to waste and is turning them into new textiles like rugs, place mats, and hair extensions. Over its eight year existence, TEXFAD has grown to also employ 23 people, many of whom started in their internship program for students. While the cost to make these products can be expensive, the textiles are biodegradable and use less water and land to produce.

Read More
Go to Original Story