Why Food Recovery Belongs in Every Foodservice Sustainability Strategy

For Restaurant Associates within Compass Group teams, food recovery has become an important way to reduce waste while supporting local communities. A key part of that effort is the partnership with Food Rescue US, a national nonprofit that uses technology to connect surplus food from donors with organizations serving those in need.

Food Rescue US is a national nonprofit that uses technology to connect surplus food from donors to receiving agencies. Since 2011, the organization has rescued over 250 million pounds of food across 50+ communities in 28 different states.

Since 2021, Food Rescue US has added 53 Compass Group locations to its network, expanding food recovery efforts across 13 states. Together, the partnership has helped redirect more than 1.26 million pounds of surplus food to communities in need. That food has supported 222 community agencies, and the volume of rescued food has grown by an average of 58% each year since the partnership began.

At one large Restaurant Associates corporate campus serving approximately 6,000 employees each day, food donations have become an important part of the operation’s sustainability strategy.

“Food Rescue has been an invaluable partner in helping us achieve these goals,” said Michael Cicippio, Executive Chef. “Their program enables us to redirect perfectly consumable food that might otherwise end up in a landfill. When combined with our onsite composting program, Food Rescue Services have virtually eliminated the need for us to send food waste to a landfill.”

For many teams, food recovery has strengthened connections with the communities they serve. Another Restaurant Associates operation recalled the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, when a sudden campus closure left thousands of pounds of food and ingredients unused. Through its partnership with Food Rescue US, the team was able to donate more than 2,000 pounds of food to local organizations at a critical time.

“Working with Food Rescue has been a fulfilling experience for our culinary team,” said Executive Chef Nick Cavaretta. “We are able to divert leftover food from the landfill to feeding those in need. The partnership has helped us build meaningful connections with the community while ensuring food is put to its best use.”

The impact extends beyond Compass kitchens. Community organizations receiving rescued food rely on these donations to support individuals and families facing a range of challenges.

“We’ve been working with Compass Group for several years and receive weekly donations from multiple food rescue sites,” said Kim L. Harris, Senior Vice President of Reentry Affairs at Career Resources, Inc. “It truly makes a difference. The food is always delivered with care, and we deeply appreciate the support.”

Through partnerships like Food Rescue US, Restaurant Associates teams are helping ensure surplus food serves its highest purpose, supporting communities, reducing waste, and creating meaningful impact beyond the kitchen.