Emily Rials and Susan Swinford, co-directors of Columbus Food Rescue, are at the forefront of the fight against food waste and hunger in Central Ohio. They share their inspiring story of transforming food rescue efforts into a powerful force for community building and social justice.

Emily and Susan talks about the operational complexities of managing over 200 weekly food pickups, from coordinating volunteers through a web-based app to navigating the unpredictable world of "popup" rescues involving tons of surplus food. They also introduce Ro's Kitchen, a transformed kitchen named in honor of Roshelle Pate, which turns excess food into nutritious, ready-made meals for those in need.

The duo explains the various reasons for food waste, from weather-related event cancellations to supply chain disruptions and equipment failures. They offer practical advice for listeners on how to reduce food waste at home and find local resources like blessing boxes and community fridges. They share insights from their community needs assessments, highlighting the demand for culturally relevant and nutritionally appropriate food, and explain how they work to fill these gaps. They discuss the staggering scale of the food waste problem, noting that they rescue about a million pounds of food annually, a fraction of the nearly million pounds of food that goes to the Franklin County landfill every day. Emily and Susan emphasize the importance of viewing food rescue not just as a service, but as a collaborative effort that builds a stronger, more connected community. They share their vision for a future where everyone has access to the food they need and are empowered to make a difference in their own communities.

Episode in a glance

- What is a Food Rescue?
- Ro's Kitchen: Transforming Food, Nourishing Community
- Why Food Gets Wasted
- How to Find Food Rescue Resources in Your Community
- Legal Protections for Food Donors
- Measuring the Impact of Food Rescue

About Emily Rials & Susan Swinford

Emily Rials and Susan Swinford are the co-directors of Columbus Food Rescue, a program of Local Matters. With backgrounds in education and a shared passion for social justice, they are dedicated to building a more equitable and sustainable food system in Columbus.

Connect with Emily Rials, Susan Swinford, and Columbus Food Rescue

Website → https://local-matters.org/columbus-food-rescue/

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/cbusfoodrescue/?hl=en

Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/ColumbusFoodRescue/

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