composting stock image

More reasons to compost.

by Uncategorized

Composting Food Waste: A Simple Step Toward a Healthier Planet

Every day, millions of pounds of food end up in landfills — even though much of it could have been donated, rescued, or composted. At Peninsula Food Runners, we work to ensure edible food reaches people who need it most. But what happens to food scraps and inedible leftovers?

That’s where composting comes in.

Why Composting Matters

When food waste is sent to landfills, it breaks down without oxygen and produces methane, a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. Composting gives food scraps a second life by turning them into nutrient-rich soil instead.  

Composting helps:  

  • Reduce landfill waste
  • lower greenhouse gas emissions
  • improve soil health
  • support gardens and local agriculture
  • Create a more sustainable food system.

Even small actions at home can make a meaningful difference.

What Can Be Composted?

Many everyday kitchen scraps can go into a compost bin, including:  fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds and filters, tea bags, eggshells, bread, and yard trimmings and leaves.

Items like meat, dairy, oils, and heavily processed foods may depend on your local composting program, so it’s always helpful to check local guidelines.

Food Rescue First, Compost Second
 
At Peninsula Food Runners, we believe the best outcome for surplus food is feeding people. Safe, edible food should always be rescued and redistributed whenever possible.

Composting is an important next step for food that can no longer be consumed. Together, food rescue and composting help reduce waste and lessen the environmental impact of our food system.

At Peninsula Food Runners, we do our part by rescuing surplus food and redirecting it to those in need, reducing waste while helping protect the environment!

Info graphic of 2025

Our Year In Review

by Uncategorized

2025: A Year of Impact, Growth, and Community for Peninsula Food Runners

2025 was a busy and meaningful year for Peninsula Food Runners — one that reflected both the growing needs in our community and the incredible commitment of our donors, volunteers, and nonprofit partners.

This year, we rescued and delivered 11% more food than in 2024, a critical increase at a time when food insecurity continues to rise. 

By the numbers in 2025:

  • 4,092,692 meals delivered to community organizations serving those in need
  • 4,911,235 pounds of food kept out of landfills
  • 19,183 volunteer hours from 810 volunteers running food to those in need

Every meal delivered represents more than food, it represents dignity, care, and connection. And every pound rescued means less waste and a healthier planet.

None of this would be possible without our generous food donors, our dedicated Food Runner volunteers, and our nonprofit partners who serve on the front lines every day.

As we look ahead, we’re energized and ready for what’s next. 2026 is our next challenge and we’re aiming even higher. With continued community support, we’re determined to rescue more food, deliver more meals, and expand our impact even further.

Join Us in 2026

There are many ways to be part of this impact:

  • Volunteer as a Food Runner and turn surplus food into meals
  • Donate food if you’re a business or organization with excess food
  • Support our mission through financial contributions or partnerships

Let’s make ’26 another success!

At Peninsula Food Runners, we do our part by rescuing surplus food and redirecting it to those in need, reducing waste while helping protect the environment!

save our planet

Fighting Food Waste to Protect Our Planet

by Uncategorized

Food waste has a significant impact on the environment, and its effects are more far-reaching than many people realize. When food is discarded, it not only fills up landfills but also contributes to pollution, climate change, and the waste of valuable natural resources.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions
When food decomposes in landfills, it breaks down without oxygen and produces methane. Methane is a greenhouse gas that is 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Globally, food waste is responsible for 8 to 10 percent of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions, making it one of the leading contributors to climate change.

Wasted Resources
Producing food requires enormous amounts of water, land, and energy. When food is wasted, all of these resources are wasted as well. For example, it takes about 1,800 gallons of water to produce a single pound of beef. Throwing away food means throwing away the water, labor, and energy that went into producing it.

Soil and Water Pollution
Food waste in landfills can generate toxic liquids called leachate, which seep into the ground and pollute soil and groundwater. In addition, the fertilizers and pesticides used to grow surplus food often run off into rivers and streams, harming ecosystems and threatening biodiversity.

Deforestation and Habitat Loss
To keep up with demand, agriculture drives deforestation and reduces natural habitats for wildlife. If food waste were reduced, less land would need to be cleared for farming, helping preserve forests and protect biodiversity.

Climate Change Acceleration
The combination of methane emissions from wasted food and the unnecessary use of agricultural resources makes food waste a powerful driver of climate change. Reducing food waste is one of the most effective steps we can take to cut emissions and lessen our environmental footprint.

Food waste harms the environment twice: once when valuable resources are used to produce food that is never eaten, and again when that food ends up polluting the planet. By reducing food waste, we can help conserve resources, protect ecosystems, and fight climate change.

At Peninsula Food Runners, we do our part by rescuing surplus food and redirecting it to those in need, reducing waste while helping protect the environment!