A pound of food 
a day per person 
in America is wasted

Hunger in the United States does not stem from a lack of resources. The nation has more than enough food to feed our population. Hunger exists because food is not made available to those without the means to obtain it. A recent USDA study found that in 1995 about 96 billion pounds of food available for human consumption were thrown out. That amounts to 365 pounds for every man, woman and child in America. One way these valuable resources can be directed to those who are hungry is through campus food salvage programs. 

"I am constantly inspired by the innate power, passion, and energy students apply towards helping others in need, especially the hungry. The National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness harnesses this collective power and energy -helping students transform communities and improve the lives of many." Elizabeth L. Hollander Executive Director, Campus Compact

In 1987, the National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness (NSCAHH) launched the Student Food Salvage Program in conjunction with the Stanford Project on Nutrition (SPOON) at Stanford University. Since then, NSCAHH has worked with dozens of college campuses to establish student-run food salvage programs. In response to the increasing urgency of hunger and the limited resources of food banks and shelters, NSCAHH has recently joined forces with the Fund for a Rural America of the U.S. Department of Agriculture to assist more campuses in establishing food salvage programs. 

Campus Food 
Salvage Programs: 
Working to 
share the wealth

Food waste occurs on most college and university campuses. In order to put this food to good use in the community, students have established food salvage programs to provide resources and assistance to those in need. These programs collect unused, surplus  food from campus dining establishments and distribute it to community kitchens, shelters, and food banks. In addition to providing food for these organizations, most campus food salvage programs also involve student volunteers in cooking   and serving food and working with these community programs and recipients. The impact student-run food salvage programs can have on a community is tremendous. For example, Boston University students gather more than 300,000 pounds of food each year through their food salvage program. 

The Campaign 
can help you 
get started

The National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness assists interested students and university employees in developing campus food salvage programs with a step-by-step manual, regular phone consultations, on-site trainings and other resources. 

"I applaud all of you who volunteer your time, your talent and your enthusiasm to the fight against hunger." Dan Glickman, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture

NSCAHH's Food Salvage Manual includes specific steps for establishing a food salvage program on campus, information about Good Samaritan laws, and descriptions of model campus food salvage programs. Our National Student Conference, held each October, provides students with trainings on starting and running food salvage programs on their campuses and the opportunity to build networks with other students and groups involved in food salvage programs. Please fill out a Food Salvage Survey to inform us on your progress.  To order a manual, for advice on how to start a food salvage program at your campus, or to schedule a site visit, contact us at:
1-800-NO-HUNGR
nscah@aol.com