Akshaya Patra Foundation launches food recovery initiative in US

The Akshaya Patra Foundation, a national food recovery initiative with U.S. offices in Fremont, California, has launched a food recovery initiative to combat both food waste and food insecurity in the U.S. 

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, up to 40 percent of all food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted while an estimated 34 million people in the U.S. lacked access to enough food in 2020. 

The Akshaya Patra USA Food Recovery Initiative aims to rescue edible food that would otherwise go to waste and distribute it to those in need, creating a more sustainable and equitable food system. 

“Our program works with participation from our chapters across major cities in the United States,” says Jay Parekh, executive adviser and head of the Akshaya Patra Foundation. “We partner with local entities to collect surplus food [and] to transport and distribute to those in need. Our chapters also provide volunteers as needed to help with the entire process. The recovered food is measured in weight, generally at the source.”  

Parekh says the five stakeholders include surplus food sources; pickup service providers or volunteers; transport service providers or volunteers; delivery service providers including food storage or kitchens; and surplus food distribution partners. The foundation brings its partners and volunteers together as needed for each specific project and provides centralized support to everyone to understand, plan and execute the project.  

In its first two food recovery projects, Akshaya Patra USA has helped recover 97,632 pounds of food. 

On Feb. 28, the Akshaya Patra Food Recovery Program recovered 39,808 pounds of food, including 4,224 gallons of milk, in Northern California. The milk was distributed to 2,000 families in need as part of food distribution to vulnerable Ukrainian families, refugees and others who struggle to afford enough food to meet their basic needs.  

In March, the foundation helped recover 57,824 pounds of food, including hydrating beverages like Gatorade and lemonade in Ohio. The beverages were distributed to the residents of East Palestine, Ohio, who were affected by a train derailment in early February.

“Feeding is the highest form of giving, a principle that is practiced widely in our culture and is a central part of what we do at Akshaya Patra,” says Ketan Parekh, Akshaya Patra Ohio chapter chair.