Whole Foods Market’s Nourishing Our Neighborhood nonprofit recently donated an E-transit refrigerated van and Level 2 charging station to Waste Not. 

The van will help Waste Not pick up fresh food and redistribute it as needed. To celebrate, Waste Not staff and Whole Foods Market Tempe team members celebrated by filling the van with donated products, bound for community members experiencing food insecurity. 

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“We are honored to be a recipient of Whole Foods Market’s Nourishing Our Neighborhood program,” said Mara Pernick, executive director of Waste Not. 

“This refrigerated van is more than just a vehicle, it is a lifeline. It will allow our drivers to safely transport fresh, nutritious food across the Valley, ensuring it reaches families, veterans and individuals who might otherwise go without. By keeping food fresh from pickup to delivery, we can maximize the impact of every donation and continue building a healthier, more resilient community.”

Stacy McLean, store team member, seconded that thought.

“We’re so thrilled to expand our relationship with Waste Not and further support their food rescue efforts to nourish the Phoenix community,” McLean said.

“Not only will this van help transport more rescued food to neighbors in need, but it will also help reduce food waste and do so much good to create long-term impact nourishing the community.”

Whole Foods Market launched Nourishing Our Neighborhoods in September 2020 and has donated 90 refrigerated vans to food rescue partners in North America.

These food rescue partners participate in the company’s Grocery Rescue Program. They pick up food from their stores weekly and redistribute it to feed neighbors fresh, high-quality food as quickly as possible.

Arizona leads the nation in food waste, with more than $9.5 billion worth of food discarded each year. At the same time, 1 in 7 Arizonans struggle with hunger, uncertain about their next meal. 

Waste Not is working to change that. For more than 35 years, Waste Not has worked to eliminate food waste and hunger in Arizona by rescuing surplus food and delivering it to the organizations that serve people in need. 

In 2024, Waste Not diverted 2.7 million pounds of food that otherwise would have gone to waste.

Information

Whole Foods Market’s Nourishing Our Neighborhoods: HERE

Waste Not: HERE.