By Leah Spector
Americans throw away about $165 billion worth of food each year - yes, billion. For the average family, that's $2,000 per household, per year, of wasted money and resources. When you think about hunger in America, which one in six suffers from in this country, food waste seems like a careless and irresponsible problem.
That's why Texas Spirits decided to do something about it. This semester, we've joined forces with the
UT Austin chapter of
Food Recovery Network, a national organization of seven universities that work to recover wasted food and donate it to those in need. FRN is based on the principle that food already exists to solve hunger - we just have to save it and donate it.
FRN volunteers pick up extra food from campus restaurants and cafes that would have otherwise been thrown out. They then deliver that food to surrounding churches and shelters that have dining programs for those in need. Pounds of nutritious an wholesome food are recovered so many people can eat that day, and the whole process only takes about an hour. Since 2011, Food Recovery Network has donated 136, 284 pounds of food.
When Spring 2010 Weenie Jenna Fahle approached Spirits about the partnering with FRN, Ghost Council and Service Haunts Anjali Sethi and Doha Hussien knew it would match well with Spirits' goal of reaching the community in a direct and meaningful way.
"Hunger is a very big issue in our state, as hidden as it may seem. I believe the best way to fight hunger is to bring awareness and education to the public on food insecurity and systemic problems in our society," said Jenna Fahle, a senior nutrition major. "I'm interested in food injustice, so I decided to get involved. FRN is unique because the organization makes a big local impact empowering businesses the means to give back to the Austin community. FRN's partners really rely on our help. The club revolves around serving the University, so it aligns with Spirits' core of serving."
Jenna Fahle working with FRN leadership to recover over 100 pounds of food. Credit: Food Recovery Network UT
Food Recovery Network Founder and Director of Operations Parker McCorkle said the Texas Spirits' involvement is in fact making a difference on campus and throughout the Austin community.
"Texas Spirits have tackled our largest source of food waste, picking up 50 to 125 pounds from O's Cafe every Friday, and they have been picking up food from this location since FRN partnered with them in February," said McCorkle. "They then transport that food to University United Methodist Church nearby. The church feeds the homeless the following Saturday morning with the food the Spirits dropped off, so FRN knows their work is meaningful. Texas Spirits volunteers have proved reliable and cheerful in their work with us."
