302 Food Rescue unveiled in Milford
As the weather turns frigid in the Cape Region, the Food Bank of Delaware has teamed up with Bayhealth and Food Lion to start a new program to help get food to those in need.
The program is 302 Food Rescue, an app that helps connect volunteers with food pantries to deliver fresh foods from participating grocery stores, restaurants and caterers. Bayhealth serves as the primary sponsor, while the Food Bank provides volunteers and Food Lion is helping to provide food.
“America has more than enough food for everyone to eat. But each year, billions of pounds of perfectly good food go to waste in our country. 302 Food Rescue will allow us to do our part here in Delaware to divert fresh food from the landfill and put it on the plates of those who need it most,” said Food Bank of Delaware President and CEO Cathy Kanefsky.
The app was formally unveiled Nov. 17 at Food Lion in Milford, with the first load of food taken to KSI by volunteer Bill Shupe.
“I think this is a great program to help people who need help,” Shupe said. “It’s almost like an Uber or delivery service.”
Kimberly Holmes, president of the Delaware chapter of the American Heart Association’s board of directors and Bayhealth’s primary stroke program coordinator, said the program enables those in need to get healthy food such as fresh produce, proteins, and foods low in sodium and sugar.
“Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death globally, nationally and here in Delaware. Stroke is the No. 3 cause of death in Delaware. Eighty percent of cardiovascular disease and stroke cases can be prevented by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and one of these factors is diet,” she said.
Rosi Wuster, Bayhealth’s chief nurse executive, said: “When Bayhealth was approached to be the premier sponsor of the 302 Food Rescue, we jumped at the opportunity to collaborate. Not having enough nutritious food to eat puts people at increased risk for heart disease, obesity and other chronic conditions. Food-insecure children are also at higher risk for developmental problems and mental health concerns.”
