Food waste is a growing problem in the U.S. According to the National Resources Defense Council, 40 percent of the food we grow in this country is never consumed. In fact, food is the single biggest source of waste in municipal landfills, according to EPA data. Meanwhile, the USDA reports that nearly 50 million Americans, including 7.9 million children are “food insecure.”
Rauch says he believes we can use one problem to solve the other.
“Our mission is how … we bring affordable nutrition into a struggling area where people unfortunately, due to their diets, are having epidemics of obesity diabetes heart disease, etc., because they can’t afford to eat the nutritious food they should be eating,” Rauch said.
In keeping with its mission, Daily Table sells produce at rock-bottom rates. Its bananas sell for 29 cents per pound, and apples go for 69 cents per pound, and those prices are about half of the U.S. city average price.
Despite being a nonprofit Rauch says he wants Daily Table to become a self-sustaining business. However, it keeps its nonprofit status to entice companies to work with them.
“The tax code incentivizes manufacturers, growers and grocers to donate wholesome healthy excess food,” said Rauch. “Food that’s still good, but is either too much, or it’s getting close to its code date, or it’s cosmetically blemished in some way.”
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