May 20, 2013
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT)-- A new report shows that there's a lot of food out there that's produced but never reaches a human stomach.
Between 30-50% of all the world's food goes to waste; according to a new report released by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. The numbers are disappointing for our local food bank, Second Harvest but they do have a program in place to help curve that percent.
Gail Root of Second Harvest Food Bank said "We've have a food rescue program we're picking up 6 million pounds of food from area supermarkets that would otherwise go into the dumpster."
Kroger is just one of the many supermarkets that gives food to this program.
Stephanie Turner of Kroger explains "It's a mission of Kroger to insure that we are able to give back to our community and take care of that hunger that happens each and every day."
They're able to do this thanks the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Act which protects the company from being sued.
"We don't donate anything that we wouldn't sell to our customers and nothing is expired." said Stephanie
However, there are some foods that cannot be donated like rotisserie chicken, pasta salad, and other food prepared in the store.
Even with those limitations, Kroger tries to give as much as they can while throwing away as little as possible.
