Source Reduction in the amount of food purchased or generated is the first step to prevent food from becoming waste. Source reduction steps include making lists, tracking inventory, and buying less. Here are a few websites that provide information on source reduction.

Further with Food provides comprehensive information about food loss and waste in the United States and about solutions dedicated to reducing it.  This virtual resource center offers businesses, government entities, investors, NGOs, academics, and individuals the ability to find and share information about proven solutions and innovative new approaches to reduce the volume of surplus food.

Leanpath has been helping businesses with food service operations to reduce food waste while providing both financial and environmental sustainability.

Save the Food.com is a partnership between the Ad Council & the Natural Resources Defense Council. Save the Food.com is a national public service ad campaign to combat food waste.

Watch The Extraordinary Life and Times of a Strawberry

San Diego Food System Alliance

The City of Chula Vista participates in the Save the Food San Diego County wide public service campaign. For more information about San Diego Food System Alliance, visit http://www.sdfsa.org

Environmental Protection Agency

Both businesses and individuals can learn to effectively prevent the flow of wasted food by taking simple steps such as making grocery lists, inventorying supplies, and buying less. For more information, visit Source Reduction (EPA)

Our food was grown to provide nutrition to people. By collecting unspoiled, healthy food and donating to neighborhood food pantry, you can help feed the more than 485,000 - nearly 1 in 6 people - (170,000 children - nearly 1 in 4) in San Diego that don’t always have enough food to eat.

Food Resources

Click here for available food resources.

How to Donate:

 USDA List of National Donation Organizations and Laws

 Food Donation Guide for Businesses in San Diego County

 A Safe Food Handling for Donation Checklist for San Diego County

Where to Donate:

Feeding San Diego Food Donations

San Diego Food Bank - Donate Food 

Southwestern College "Jag" Kitchen

Recovery of Surplus Food:

Gleaning groups gather produce that is destined to be wasted, from trees, fields, and farmers markets. The produce is then donated to local food pantries.

San Diego Gleaning group directory: sandiegogleaners.org

Gleaning in Chula Vista and the south bay community:

I love to Glean is a non-profit gleaning group that facilitates countywide food recovery systems to increase the capacity for recovery and distribution. They work directly with feeding agencies and kitchens who then distribute to end clients.

Senior Gleaners is based in East & South County. Volunteers, ages 55 and older, glean surplus food from fields, groves, backyards. Senior Gleaners also collects surplus food from stores and restaurants.

Chula Vista Food Recovery Group

Collaboration between south bay food pantries with the goal of improving and expanding the recovery of surplus food. Meets the third Tuesday of the month. Meeting location varies.

For information contact environmentalservices@chulavistaca.gov or call 619-691-5122

Other Resources for donating:

2-1-1 San Diego:

Serving San Diego County, 2-1-1 San Diego connects you with community, health and disaster services through a free, 24/7 stigma-free phone service and searchable database. Simply dial 2-1-1 or search their online database.

Donating food to animals can save farmers and companies’ money. There are farms in San Diego County that currently accept food waste such as brewery grains, food scraps, and bakery items.

Reduce Wasted Food by Feeding Animals (EPA)

Adding food waste to an anaerobic digester can provide a fuel source for vehicles and power generation. Rendering of meats and greases can also provide a fuel source and other products.

Learn more about anaerobic digestion (EPA).

Spoiled and leftover food waste is perfect for composting. The product of which contains the nutrients needed to create healthy soils. Instead of sending this waste to the landfill, convert it to compost right in your own backyard!

City of Chula Vista's Backyard Composting Program

County of San Diego Composting Information

EPA's Composting Guide

Landfilling food waste takes up valuable land, pollutes the air, and can potentially contaminate groundwater. Landfilling is the last option for food waste.

County of San Diego

Food Saving and Storage Techniques

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Learn about the USDA’s food waste reduction activities

National Restaurant Association's Conserve Program (Non-Government Organization)

The National Restaurant Association Conserve Program is here to show you how to operate your business efficiently and in more environmentally beneficial ways

The Ugly Fruit and Veg Campaign

Approximately 40% of fruits and vegetables grown don’t make the cut for supermarkets on the basis of looking ugly. Jordan Figueiredo developed a website devoted to eliminate the practice of discarding food with minor imperfections.