33 million tons of food is thrown away each year, but most of it is still safe to eat. That's according to Executive Director of the River Bend Foodbank in Davenport, Mike Miller, who says if people donated food they would normally throw away, there would be enough food for everyone.
The River Bend Foodbank provides over 7-million meals each year, to people in 22 counties in Iowa and Illinois. In that community, Miller says one in eight people don't have enough food, and one in five children go hungry.
But, it doesn't have to be that way.
He says people focus too much on expiration dates, even though most food is still safe to eat after the date passes. And River Bend is working to "rescue that food" before it's thrown away.
But, Miller says there's still other work to be done.
The Foodbank's board has recently approved a plan to triple the amount of meals it provides in the next 10 years. Miller says the plan is based on how many people still need food locally, and will involve food sourcing and partnering with agencies.
The River Bend Foodbank distributes food to 300 pantries and shelters. And, Miller says every dollar that is donated provides 5 meals to local families.
September is National Hunger Action Month, and River Bend is encouraging residents to text "hunger" to 24700, to learn more.