Managing food waste and donating food is an important part of our community's well being. Emergency food assistance is of utmost importance in the state of Louisiana when one considers high unemployment rates and low-wage jobs that may make accessible food difficult. In fact, 1 in 5 households in Louisiana is at risk of hunger, according to the Second Harvest Food Bank website. We compiled two options for food donations and leftover food to help you give back to New Orleans!
Second Harvest Food Bank
Second Harvest Food Bank, under Feeding America, operates more than 200 food banks across the United States. The New Orleans Second Harvest Food Bank accepts all donations, whether large or small. Following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Second Harvest Food Bank became the world’s largest food bank. Second Harvest provides over 32 million meals to more than 210,000 families every year in Louisiana. Second Harvest Food Bank also organizes nutrition education, outreach events, and programs to help people out of poverty and hunger.
You can drop off food donations in two locations in New Orleans: 700 Edwards Avenue in Harahan or 215 East Pinhook Road on weekdays from 7:30am-3:30pm. Second Harvest’s website also provides a list of most-needed food items for anyone thinking of making purchases to then donate them. If you donate more than 700 pounds of food, Second Harvest can coordinate a donation pickup at your convenience if requested. Monetary donations are also accepted and appreciated!If you or your organization or business is looking to organize a food donation drive, Second Harvest provides a toolkit for organizations your own food drive or fundraiser. You can then register your drive on their website.
Overall, this is a great way to combat food insecurity and hunger in your community! If you are interested in organizing a food drive or would like to make a donation to the Second Harvest Food Bank, you can learn more about them on their website.
New Orleans Community Fridges
Community Fridges have risen as an effort to provide free food in cities across the country, such as New Orleans, Boston, Philadelphia, New York City, Chicago, Atlanta, and Los Angeles. The mission of the New Orleans community fridges is to provide mutual aid and accountability as keys to developing a sustainable food system. By dropping off produce, leftover cooked meals, and foods that require refrigeration or freezing, people can directly support the New Orleans community through free food. Currently, there are 19 community fridges throughout New Orleans! Some of the locations are 3908 Joliet Street, 2500 Frenchmen Street, 1206 Touro Street, 1522 North Villere, and 1020 Kentucky Street. You can find the full list of community fridges here.
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