Food Fighters: A Food Recovery-Meal Delivery Program Benefits Meal Recipients, Volunteers and Agencies

Authors

Lauri Wright, University of North FloridaFollow
Alice Sanchez, University of North Florida
Patricia Jakubec, University of South Florida Health
Jen Ross, University of North FloridaFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2021

Abstract

Food waste and food insecurity are important issues impacting the health of the planet and its people. Food Fighters, housed at a regional university in the southeast, utilizes student volunteers to recover and repackage unused food into healthy meals and deliver them to nonprofit organizations for food insecure clients. This qualitative study used interviews to explore the impact of Food Fighters on meal participants, student volunteers, and service organizations. Findings suggest positive impacts for recipients, including enhanced medication adherence, reduced stress, and healthier eating. Volunteers noted increased empathy and social responsibility, and organizations mentioned expanded capacity, and improved client outcomes.

Publication Title

Journal of Hunger and Environmental Nutrition

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1080/19320248.2021.1883496

ISSN

19320248

E-ISSN

19320256

Citation Information

Lauri Wright, Alice Sanchez, Patricia Jakubec & Jen Ross (2021) Food Fighters: A Food Recovery-Meal Delivery Program Benefits Meal Recipients, Volunteers and Agencies, Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition, 16:5, 725-737, DOI: 10.1080/19320248.2021.1883496