Raise Your Helping Hand

It’s hard to believe that, in a country where 40 million people face hunger every day, so much food could go uneaten. Yet, this is precisely what is happening – and we’re all partially to blame. Perfectly good food is being wasted at every level of the supply chain: on the farm, during distribution, at the store, and in our homes. In addition to the enormous humanitarian cost, our food waste epidemic is also an economic and environmental catastrophe. There is so much food wastage in the world. We noticed that most of the restaurants, bakeries, cafes throw away unsold but perfectly good and nutritious food on a daily basis. Uneaten food also puts unneeded strain on the environment by wasting valuable resources like water and farmland. At a time when 12 percent of American households are food insecure, reducing food waste by just 15 percent could provide enough sustenance to feed more than 25 million people, annually.

Only five percent of food is composted in the US and as a result, uneaten food is the single largest component of municipal solid waste. In landfills, food gradually breaks down to form methane, a greenhouse gas that’s up to 86 times more powerful than carbon dioxide.

Consumer food waste also has serious implications for energy usage. On average, household food losses are responsible for eight times the energy waste of farm-level food losses due to the energy used along the food supply chain and in preparation. 

In addition, food waste is responsible for more than 25 percent of all the freshwater consumption in the US each year, and is among the leading causes of fresh water pollution. Given all the resources demanded for food production, it is worth our while to make sure that the food we produce is not wasted.

Zero Waste Initiative was started with the hope to rescue food waste and reduce food insecurity and preserve the sustainable environment!

How You Can Help

Our Partners

ORANGE COUNTY FIRE AUTHORITY

OCFA proudly serves the changing needs of our communities by providing exceptional emergency and support services.

FAMILIES FORWARD CA

Families Forward exists to help families in need achieve and maintain self-sufficiency through housing, food, counseling, education, and other support services since 1984.

HUMAN OPTIONS (Collaborating with Helping Hands of Orange County)

Human Options is a non-profit organization in Orange County that ignites social change by educating Orange County to recognize relationship violence as an issue that threatens everyone, advocating for those affected by abuse, extending a safe place for victims, and empowering survivors on their journey of healing. Human Options offers a number of services to victims of domestic violence, including shelter, therapy, and case management.

U-TURN LIVES CA

The food pantry at U-Turn Lives is a volunteer-driven nonprofit organization (501c3) that believes that the greatest joy and fulfillment in life is to make a positive difference to the society we live in.

FRESH BASIC NEEDS FOOD PANTRY, UCI

The food pantry at FRESH provides emergency food and toiletries to UCI students experiencing basic needs insecurities.

FOOD FINDERS, CA

Food Finders is a 501 c3 food rescue organization connecting donated perishable food to hundreds of nonprofit pantries and shelters throughout Southern California in order to reduce hunger and food waste, simultaneously

ORANGE COUNTY RESCUE MISSION

Food is distributed to people in need in Orange County

POWER OF ONE FOUNDATION

Power of One Foundation is a not-for-profit organization with a focus on fighting hunger and poverty by providing food assistance and vital resources to vulnerable communities and individuals in Orange County, CA and beyond. The foundation’s purpose is to empower residents in underserved communities to become leaders in their communities

THE SALVATION ARMY CALIFORNIA SOUTH DIVISION

The Salvation Army has been meeting needs and transforming lives since 1887 throughout Orange County

SHARE OUR SELVES

Founded in 1970 Share Our Selves provide care and assistance to those in need and act as advocates for systemic change. Their daily operations include case management, food pantry, and homeless services, and seasonal engagements like Adopt A Family and Back To School programs.

LIGHTHOUSE OUTREACH CENTER

Serving thousands of high risk patients, Veterans and homeless

COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP OF ORANGE COUNTY

CAPOC changes peoples lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities and makes America a better place to live. The agency cares about the entire community, and is dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other.

ORANGE COUNTY CHILDREN’S THERAPEUTIC ARTS CENTER

OCCTAC’s mission is to provide innovative, artistic, educational, and therapeutic programs that transform and inspire children, at-risk youth, and families to fulfill their highest potential in life.

If you are part of an organization(**not an individual**) that is in need of food donations, please email us at initiativezerowaste@gmail.com

**_{PLEASE NOTE WE ONLY WORK WITH ORGANIZATIONS, FOOD BANKS AND NOT DIRECTLY WITH INDIVIDUALS DUE TO CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS, LIMITED RESOURCES, VOLUNTEERS AND THEIR SAFETY}**

Become a Sponsor/Donor

With the aim of fighting food insecurity, food waste and helping as many people as possible, we actively seek for generous donors to partner with.

EIN : 85-1647087

Please contact us for more info.