Publix’s perishable recovery program helps provide food for people facing food insecurity

Sept. 19, 2023 — With hunger affecting every community we serve, helping to provide nutritious food is at the core of our charitable efforts. One of our key initiatives in helping to alleviate hunger is the perishable recovery program. According to Feeding America, 119 billion pounds of food is thrown out yearly. That’s the equivalent of 130 billion meals going to waste. 

We launched the perishable recovery program to provide nourishing meals for our neighbors in need and limit food waste. This program engages Publix associates in hunger alleviation efforts by having them gather perishable foods that are no longer salable but still safe for consumption and donate them to Feeding America partner food banks and other nonprofit organizations. The products donated from our dairy, deli, meat and produce departments help food banks offer wholesome options to the people they serve.

“At Publix, we believe our greatest opportunity to give back is by helping to alleviate food insecurity. That’s why we continue our efforts to ensure millions of pounds of food reach our neighbors in need in the communities we serve,” said Publix Director of Community Relations Dwaine Stevens.

Since 2009, we’ve donated more than 800 million pounds of food to food banks through this initiative. Perishable recovery is just another way we work daily to do good together.