Every day at ExtraFood, we work to address hunger, but we do so differently than most. We use surplus food.
We do this because nearly 30% of food in the United States is wasted, and that waste has a devastating impact on our environment. Project Drawdown has identified reducing food waste as one of the most impactful solutions we can take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
To put the scale in perspective: if food waste were its own country, it would rank third in global emissions behind only the United States and China.
This means food recovery is not just charity; it is frontline climate action. It is a practical, local solution that prevents methane producing waste in landfills, lowers emissions, and feeds our neighbors simultaneously.
For these reasons, we see our mission as two fold. We are stewards of our community in the fight against food insecurity and stewards of our climate, working toward a healthier planet for everyone. These two goals are inseparable.
The surplus food we recover helps feed people who are disproportionately affected by inequity and food insecurity. At the same time, the greenhouse gases we prevent disproportionately benefit those same communities, who are often the first and hardest hit by the climate crisis and environmental harm.
ExtraFood exists because solutions are possible even when the national outlook is challenging. However, we cannot ignore the current landscape.
We are deeply concerned by the recent federal decision to erase the landmark scientific finding that greenhouse gases threaten human life and public health.
Rescinding this bedrock determination is a rejection of the very science that informs our work and protects our community’s future.
At a time when federal actions are also cutting SNAP funding and eliminating essential data like the national hunger report, the need for local solutions has never been clearer. Communities need more support and more data to address hunger, not fewer tools and the erasure of scientific truth.
Rollbacks to safeguards of our air, environment, and citizens reflect a profound disregard for at-risk populations. Leadership requires we protect people, honor science, and invest in solutions that support healthier, more resilient communities.
At ExtraFood, we will continue to lead with science, with heart, and with the belief that practical, community driven action is the best path forward.
Thank you for your support,
Will Dittmar
CEO