Starbucks Launches FoodShare Program in Austin

Nov07

Once the Starbucks in the greater Austin-area close for the night, healthy food from the day will be left behind to get picked up to help feed families. By approximately 4 a.m., all the leftover food at Starbucks stores has been picked up.

The night pickups are part of a new partnership between the Food Bank, Starbucks, and Feeding America called the Starbucks FoodShare Program.

Starbucks donates ready-to eat food, from 60 stores, which is picked up by our Partner Agencies,Travis Heights Christian Outreach and Hill Country Community Ministries.

“One in 6 people in Central Texas struggle with hunger, and for children the number is 1 in 4,” said Derrick Chubbs, president and CEO of the Central Texas Food Bank. “We are proud to partner with Starbucks to ensure that people who struggle with hunger have access to wholesome meals. The FoodShare program exemplifies what we can accomplish when we work together.”

The program is estimated to provide 216,000 pounds of food or the equivalent of 180,000 meals a year for families in need.

The food is transported in refrigerated vans funded by the program. Staff from both agencies begin pickups at 10 p.m. and temperature check food items to ensure food safety.

For the agencies, the program is giving them extra opportunities to help more families. The Starbucks FoodShare program is not only reducing food waste, but it has given our agencies the ability to pick up and distribute more food with the vans.

Thank you, Starbucks, for your commitment to fight hunger. Learn more about the FoodShare Program below:

Starbucks FoodShare Program in Austin from Central Texas Food Bank on Vimeo.