
From Surplus to Support: How Careit Strengthens Communities
- foodfightadmin
- January 4, 2024
- Find Food, Food Bank Support, Hunger In America
- ffp-17, findfood series twelve, fnds, rsc pages
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In a move to tackle the growing issue of food insecurity in the United States, Careit, a pioneering food donation and rescue software, is making strides by bridging the gap between surplus food and those in need. The platform is revolutionizing the way businesses and institutions donate excess food, connecting them with local nonprofit organizations through a free, user-friendly marketplace.
Alyson Schill, Co-Founder and CEO of Careit, highlights the increasing urgency of the situation. “We have seen an uptick in food insecurity in the past year, so now we’re opening up to new types of food to come into this starving food system,” she said. The software’s nationwide reach is enabling nonprofits to forge new connections with donors, many of whom they hadn’t previously known about.
Careit operates via a mobile app, allowing businesses to list surplus food and nonprofit organizations to receive timely alerts about available donations in their vicinity. The organizations have the flexibility to accept or decline these donations, and unmatched donations become available for other potential partners. The app facilitates seamless communication between parties, recording crucial details like food weight and temperature and coordinating pickup logistics.
“Our focus is to create an ease of use with the technological features that Careit can offer,” Schill explained. She emphasized the software’s role in enabling businesses, especially those new to food donation, to initiate or expand their donation programs.
Schill also shed light on Careit’s role in enhancing grocery stores’ contributions to community food donations. By bridging the gaps between larger stores and smaller local organizations, Careit is addressing issues like missed pickups and ensuring equitable food distribution. “We have been helping Sprouts Farmers Market to make sure that they have the right partners in each area so that food is distributed equitably,” Schill added.
Additionally, Careit is aiding all Sprouts Farmers Market locations in complying with SB1383, a California law requiring measurement and reporting of organic waste material activity. The platform’s scope is expanding beyond food to include household goods and even animal feed. Schill noted the significance of this expansion, especially for smaller farms that face challenges with traceability in the industry.
“We’re doing some really big projects,” Schill explained, detailing Careit’s involvement in helping stadiums, event centers, zoos, and colleges in Portland, Oregon, and Memphis, Tennessee. These efforts aim to increase food donations, enhance composting efforts, and promote sustainable food system practices, with the potential for scalability based on their success.
As Careit continues to grow, Schill envisions it becoming a crucial resource for redistribution among nonprofits, contributing effectively to emergency rescue relief and fostering sustainable practices in food systems.