San Diego First To Launch Starbucks Foodshare Program

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 30, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, Starbucks, Feeding America and Feeding America San Diego announce the launch of the first Starbucks FoodShare program operations in the nation. Through a strategic partnership announced earlier this year, the Starbucks FoodShare program will donate nourishing, ready-to-eat meals to Feeding America member food banks from its company-operated stores in the U.S. Building on a successful pilot program launched in San Diego earlier this year, donations from 190 local Starbucks locations are estimated to provide 750,000 pounds of food, or the equivalent of 625,000 meals, in the San Diego area annually.

"Starbucks has truly shown their commitment to hunger-relief," said Al Brislain, CEO of Feeding America San Diego. "With 1 in 8 San Diegans facing hunger, FoodShare will make a huge difference for those we serve and exemplify what we can accomplish when we work together."

"The partners in our San Diego stores are so excited to lead this effort, they know rescuing food at the end of their shift makes a difference and has a positive impact on their community," said Alyssa Edelen, a Starbucks district manager. "From families struggling to make ends meet, to supporting those who are homeless, rescuing Starbucks food that would otherwise be wasted will change lives for people in the San Diego community. It makes me proud to know partners are the heroes in this."

FoodShare donations will be picked up in refrigerated vans from Starbucks stores seven days a week, year round. At each site, drivers check all items for food safety and transport the food to Feeding America San Diego or its distribution partners. Food items include Bistro Boxes, breakfast sandwiches, Paninis, salads, yogurts and high-quality baked goods.

In the first year alone, FoodShare will be able to provide nearly 5 million meals across the U.S. to individuals and families in need of nourishing food. Starbucks intends to scale this program over the next five years and rescue 100 percent of its food available for donation from participating company-operated U.S. stores.

ABOUT STARBUCKS
Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting high-quality Arabica coffee. Today, with stores around the globe, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at www.starbucks.com.

ABOUT FEEDING AMERICA SAN DIEGO
Established in 2007, Feeding America San Diego (FASD) is the leading hunger-relief organization in the county, providing 21.2 million meals within the last year, and the only Feeding America affiliate in the region. FASD provides food and resources to a network of 200 distribution partners serving 60,000 children, families and seniors each week. Focused on healthy food, education and advocacy, FASD is building a hunger-free and healthy San Diego through innovative programs and collaborative partnerships. To learn more about Feeding America San Diego and its hunger-relief initiatives, visit feedingamericasd.org.

Media Contacts
Madeleine Hennessy
(858) 768-7435
[email protected]

Amanda Schaap
(858) 768-7434
[email protected]

Erin Schaeffer
(206) 369-5104
[email protected]  

SOURCE Feeding America San Diego