ExtraFood.org

ExtraFood is hiring! Our Manager of Food Partnerships recruits new food donors for our county-wide food recovery program, securing new food donations that meet the needs of the vulnerable people we serve. Imagine the feeling of bringing on new businesses and schools and being responsible for keeping thousands upon thousands of pounds of healthy, fresh food out of the landfill and into the homes of children, seniors, and families in need! Job Description: http://tinyurl.com/ExtraFoodJob

One in five people in Marin County worry about where their next meal will come from. And thousands more have become food-insecure since the start of the pandemic. While Marin may be one of the wealthiest counties in the U.S., low-wage workers and those facing food insecurity can fall through the gaps because they have less access to social services than other more equipped counties. Our community of financial donors, volunteers and partners are working hard to fill this gap.

The reality of food insecurity that we see every day in Marin is being reflected in wealthy counties across the U.S.: "While every U.S. county has seen hunger rates rise, the steepest jumps have been in some of the wealthiest counties, where overall affluence obscures the tenuous finances of low-wage workers. Such sudden and unprecedented surges in hunger have overwhelmed many rich communities, which weren’t nearly as ready to cope as places that have long dealt with poverty and were already equipped with robust, organized charitable food networks."

New research is showing that household food waste is significantly larger than previously estimated. And it's a massive environmental problem. This article gives a good overview of a few of the ways experts propose we curb this problem. What do you think is needed to substantially lower consumer food waste?

Sell By...Use By...Best By...Ever feel baffled by these labels? You're not alone! Confusion over these dates and phrases leads to lots of unnecessary food waste in our homes. So what do these different dates really mean? Here's how the USDA breaks it down: A ""Best if Used By/Before"" date indicates when a product will be of best flavor or quality. It is not a purchase or safety date. A ""Sell-By"" date tells the store how long to display the product for sale for inven...tory management. It is not a safety date. A Use-By"" date is the last date recommended for the use of the product while at peak quality. It is not a safety date except for when used on infant formula. A Freeze-By date indicates when a product should be frozen to maintain peak quality. It is not a purchase or safety date. So if a product has passed one of these dates, does that mean it's ""bad""? Not necessarily! It's important to note that (with the exception of infant formula) product dating is not required by federal law. Manufacturers provide these labels to help consumers and retailers decide when food is of ""best quality,"" not to determine when the product has spoiled. Check out this app from the USDA that can help you maximize the freshness and quality of your food: https://www.foodsafety.gov/keep-food-safe/foodkeeper-app

We’re working towards a future where everyone in Marin has access to fresh, healthy food. And we can’t get there alone. That's why we're so grateful for partners like Whole Foods Market. Not only does Whole Foods financially support ExtraFood's work, but their Marin stores also donate excess fresh food regularly. Thank you for supporting our Marin community, Whole Foods!

The latest issue of ExtraFood News is here. We're keeping our community informed from the front lines of hunger in Marin.