Haven's Harvest plans to expand food recovery with new hub in New Haven

During a recent meeting of the New Haven Board of Alders Finance Committee, the vital role of Haven's Harvest in addressing food insecurity in the community was highlighted. A representative from Haven's Harvest shared impressive statistics, revealing that the organization recovers an average of 5,200 pounds of food daily, amounting to nearly 1.9 million pounds rescued last year, with projections to exceed 2 million pounds this year.

Haven's Harvest has been operational for a decade, establishing a robust network of over 400 partners, including businesses, universities, and nonprofits. This network allows them to distribute nutritious food to various community sectors, including senior housing, schools, homeless shelters, and healthcare facilities. The organization emphasizes its commitment to reducing food waste and ensuring that healthy food reaches those in need rather than ending up in landfills.

Despite its successes, the representative stressed that there remains a significant amount of food waste and ongoing food insecurity, particularly among children. To enhance its efforts, Haven's Harvest is seeking to establish a food hub equipped with a functional kitchen and additional refrigeration. This facility would enable the organization to store more food safely and prepare it for distribution in family-sized portions, thereby improving access for New Haven residents.

The discussions at the meeting underscored the importance of community support for initiatives like Haven's Harvest, which play a crucial role in combating food insecurity and promoting sustainability in New Haven. As the organization looks to expand its capabilities, the community's involvement will be essential in addressing these pressing issues.