During Earth Month, we often think about recycling, saving energy, and protecting our environment. But one of the most meaningful sustainability efforts happening at San Diego Unified also helps San Diegans directly — through its food rescue program.
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At a time when many local families are feeling the impact of higher grocery prices, our schools are working to make sure cafeteria food doesn’t go to waste through the Love Food Not Waste Program. Through our food rescue efforts, our school cafeterias have helped keep more than 186,000 pounds of food out of the landfill during the 2025-2026 school year. Instead of being thrown away, wrapped sandwiches, burgers, food bowls, pizza, and snacks are safely recovered and shared with organizations that help the unsheltered in our community.
Love Food Not Waste is proud to partner with Feeding San Diego, a hunger relief and food rescue non-profit, and partner food bank of Feeding America. The organization helps coordinate with other hunger relief agencies to ensure this food reaches people who can use it. Through this partnership, two local organizations pick up and distribute food from our schools, turning what might have been waste into meaningful support for our neighbors.
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“The cafeteria food has been helpful for the neighbors that Alpha Project and the Salvation Army serve. They’re often seeking a ready-to-eat meal and may not have access to a kitchen to cook ingredients,” said Angus Hsieh, neighborhood partnerships coordinator for Feeding San Diego. “For someone who doesn't have a home, much less a kitchen, the packaged food is a lifesaver.”
Every carton of milk, piece of fruit, and packaged meal that gets redirected is a small act that makes a big difference — for the environment and for our community. During Earth Week, this program is a great reminder that sometimes sustainability is simply making sure local food feeds people, not landfills.
Feeding San Diego says this partnership with San Diego Unified provides a different look at how food is being rescued. The food isn’t being hauled back to a warehouse or stored for months; it goes right back to the community.
"Rescuing food from school kitchens just makes sense,” said Janet Whited, the recycling specialist for San Diego Unified. “It reduces waste, helps the planet, feeds people, and it’s valuable because it's a true team effort from kitchen staff to community partners.”
The Love Food Not Waste program was first launched in 2016. Like many things, it paused during the pandemic, but after a short detour, it’s back and growing, continuing to make a difference in our schools and our neighborhoods.