GROCERY STORES AND DISCOUNT CHAINS LIKE WAL MART TOSS MILLIONS OF POUNDS OF EXCESS PRODUCE EVERY YEAR. ROAD RUNNER FOOD BANK IN ALBUQUERQUE HAS MADE GOOD USE OF THAT SINCE 1982. IT TAKES THAT FOOD … WHICH IS STILL FRESH … AND PROVIDES IT TO PEOPLE IN NEED.
JULIE ANDERSON WITH THE FOOD BANK TELLS US IT'S BEEN MORE THAN BENEFICIAL FOR ABOUT 40 MILLION NEW MEXICANS LAST YEAR. ANDERSON SAYS IT'S ALLOWED FOOD BANKS TO SHIFT TO A HEALTHIER, MORE COMPLETE PLATE. SHE SAYS LESS AND LESS DRY GOODS ARE BEING DONATED AS WELL, MOSTLY DUE TO THE ECONOMY.
ROADRUNNER OFFICIALS SAY THEY KEPT ABOUT 23 MILLION POUNDS OF EDIBLE FOOD OUT OF THE LANDFILL IN 2013.
