Episode 226: Fighting Food Waste and Feeding Communities: Sammie Paul on FoodRecovery.org
About the Podcast
Today, Clancy speaks with Sammie Paul, Executive Director at FoodRecovery.org, a national nonprofit that reroutes surplus food from restaurants, warehouses, and events to food pantries, soup kitchens, and emergency food providers. You won’t want to miss this insightful conversation about how technology, partnerships, and a people-centered mission help rescue more than 1 million pounds of food each week across the U.S., all at no cost to donors or recipients.
About Sammie Paul
Sammie Paul is the Executive Director of FoodRecovery.org (formerly MEANS Database), a nationwide platform that facilitates the safe and efficient donation of surplus food. Since joining in 2016 and becoming Executive Director in 2021, she has led the organization to massive growth, now recovering over a million pounds of food weekly. Sammie is passionate about food security, community building, and systems change that centers dignity and access.
Discussion Takeaways
- Sammie’s career began in restaurants where she saw firsthand how much food was thrown away nightly. After encountering people asking for meals on her way home, she saw the clear disconnect between surplus and need and became determined to fix it.
- FoodRecovery.org operates two programs: one for “small donations” (food that fits in a car, like leftovers from events or restaurants) and one for “large donations” (palletized goods from warehouses or farms). Donors simply post their surplus on the site, and nearby nonprofits are instantly notified via email or text to coordinate pickups.
- There is a major misconception that food donations are risky because of liability concerns. Sammie debunks that myth, citing the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act and its update, the Food Donation Improvement Act, both of which protect donors from liability.
- Last year, FoodRecovery.org recovered over 80 million pounds of food. In 2024, they’re on track to far exceed that, recovering food from across the country and adapting to meet rising demand.
- Food waste is a major contributor to methane and CO₂ emissions. Food recovery is a top strategy for climate change mitigation. It doesn’t just feed people, but it also protects the planet.
- Food dignity is when people have the ability to grow, purchase, and procure the food that they need for themselves and their families. These are nutritionally dense foods and culturally appropriate foods.
#1 tip to improve access to healthy food
Donating extra food is not only safe—it’s necessary. Some of the freshest food gets tossed simply due to lack of storage. So whether it’s your favorite restaurant or a local grocery store, remind them: they can and should donate.
Each week on the Food Dignity® Podcast, the Food Dignity® Movement's Clancy Harrison hosts a wide variety of hunger experts and other people making changes on the frontlines. Join us as we dive deep into conversations that will change the way you think about food insecurity.
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