Dozens of Greater Cincinnati’s best restaurants are gearing up to serve food at one of the city’s largest annual festivals, the Taste of Cincinnati. However, with such events often leading to significant food waste, Last Mile Food Rescue is stepping in to ensure that no food goes to waste.

Local food waste experts highlight the potential for events like Taste of Cincinnati to result in thousands of pounds of wasted food. Last Mile Food Rescue, led by Erik Hyden, is actively working to prevent this from happening.

Hyden, along with a team of volunteers, will be present at Taste of Cincinnati to collect any unused food from the participating booths. This food will then be distributed to those in need, including various nonprofit partners such as soup kitchens and food pantries.

According to Hyden, studies reveal that 40% of the food produced in the United States ends up in landfills, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. Since its establishment in 2020, Last Mile Food Rescue has rescued over 8.9 million pounds of food and collaborates with more than 300 donors in the region.

During previous events similar to Taste of Cincinnati, the organization has collected approximately 1,000 pounds of food. With over 270,000 individuals in the Tri-State region facing food insecurity, Last Mile Food Rescue plays a crucial role in addressing this issue.

Hyden emphasizes the importance of raising awareness about food rescue within the community and encourages individuals to shop intentionally and plan meals in advance to reduce food waste. By engaging with grocery stores and restaurants on their efforts to combat food waste and insecurity, consumers can also contribute to the cause.

Last Mile Food Rescue is continuously seeking volunteers to support their mission. To learn more about how you can get involved, visit their website.