California State University, Northridge
IN-48: Innovation B

The Edible Food Recovery Programs at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) are groundbreaking initiatives aimed at reducing food waste and diverting edible surplus from landfill. The first program is a successful partnership between CSUN's dining services provider, Chartwells, and the nonprofit organization Food Cycle LA, the program addresses the critical issues of food waste and food insecurity simultaneously. The second program is a collaboration between the Basic Needs Office and the Institute for Sustainability. MataBites is a push notification system that delivers messages to participating CSUN community members via the CSUN app, informing them of when free food becomes available on campus.

MataBites aims to alleviate food insecurity and limit food waste at CSUN. Our mission is to strengthen the CSUN community by feeding hungry people on campus, diverting edible food away from landfills, and promoting student success!

Chartwells, responsible for managing dining services on campus, plays a pivotal role in this program by identifying and collecting surplus food from various campus dining locations. This includes excess prepared meals, perishable items, and unopened packaged goods that would otherwise be discarded. The collected food is then carefully packaged and transported to local community organizations by Food Cycle LA.

Food Cycle LA, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting hunger and reducing food waste, acts as a crucial link between CSUN and the broader community. They organize the logistics of collecting, storing, and distributing the recovered food to local shelters, food banks, and community centers. This ensures that the surplus food is redirected towards those in need, contributing to alleviating food insecurity in the surrounding area.

The collaborative effort not only addresses the environmental impact of food waste but also strengthens the university's commitment to social responsibility. By diverting edible food from landfills, the program aligns with sustainability goals while making a positive impact on the local community. This innovative model demonstrates the potential for partnerships between educational institutions, dining service providers, and nonprofit organizations to create holistic solutions that benefit both the environment and vulnerable populations.