Food Rescue Networks and the Food System

Before the COVID-19 pandemic it was widely reported that, in United States, over 40 percent of food produced wasted. During pandemic, news reports have described unprecedented household waste, up by 30 according to Republic Services, one largest waste management services US (Helmer 2020). But upstream, was, and continues be, equally problematic. When institutions such as schools universities, large businesses, restaurants, other venues must shut down, so too supply chain for those locations. Farmers who produce large-scale public use been unable redirect their products grocery markets, many cases harvests dairy cannot be used. Elsewhere along chain, farm laborers (e.g., meat-packing workers, delivery workers) without access protection health care continue pack deliver at “normal” levels, potential has left fields warehouses (Evich Early on, panic buying consumer hoarding blamed increased amounts (ENN 2020), rigid segmented chains were fact that farmers suppliers across country not able utilize goods profit or donation (Hernandez In fact, people ordered stay home, greater demand could met because simply transferred from part another As well, labor force employed pick, pack, distribute, otherwise work our vastly reduced due lack words, there more than enough food, but distributed wanted needed it.As rotted warehouses, shutdown resulted soaring unemployment led increases demands aid (Luhby Prior countries where systems are highly industrialized, feeding hungry through wasted (known rescue recovery) seemed provide a perfect solution some circular economists (Alexander 2016). Indeed, recirculation surplus rescued transported banks shelters now accounts majority reduction (Messner et al. relationship between overabundance market reliance on surplus/food laid bare COVID-19. Businesses once donated no longer operating, stores dealing with much shelves rather little (Bradshaw Food producers distributors thus distributing donating oversupply, largely resorted remains store With record numbers out work, 57,000 frontline workers contracted this writing (Pollan restaurant/institutional almost down. The precarity social fabric its links system never visible. If become lynchpin ameliorate inequities, becomes important ask about current functioning role future.For reason, my research is concerned how, if all, systemic linkage rescue, insecurity altered what impacts local waste. networks form around rely continuous unwanted/surplus (otherwise headed bin) order get newly defined insecure. both grow during COVID-19, tenuous, producers, rescuers, policy makers struggling creates inequities production mechanisms accessible nutritious consumption. This project looks first how involved make meaning practice relation others network community examines four Ohio Massachusetts insight into complexities public, organizational, community, individual dynamics response Then, I discuss challenges opportunities might arise adjust effects pandemic. More broadly, talk reconfiguration life after mean future governmental, nonprofit, responses Three questions guide research: (1) changed changes system? (2) arisen result these alterations? (3) participants, impacted COVID-19?Approximately fifty members northern southeastern western Massachusetts, participated project. Each agencies identified recipients, then contacted author assistant interviews. participants offered views based questions. We (myself assistant) process transcribing grouped themes, attention paid details economic, cultural, geographical context. My analysis data will also map extended donors, patrons, examining ways identify group’s network, well system, justice community. help draw in-depth picture questions.Previous (Cooks 2019) looked when, whether valued within (food suppliers, agencies, shelters) rural urban locations States. That indicates communicate terms quantities (over quality) recovered hunger. Donations recorded rewarded tax incentives designed entice corporations donate excess while increasing economic profit. Members studied expressed dedication perfecting place, goal giving, delivering, receiving “food” food-insecure inventories would 2019). Nonetheless, scholars activists registered concern recovery dependency an already burdened requires ever-larger longer-term problems hunger environmental resource expenditure remain 2019; Messner 2020).Constance Gordon Kathleen Hunt (2019) call researchers cultural relationships among people, environment study “communicative co-constitution relations it” (8). Despite popularity few studies examined less phenomenon communication. builds premise disappeared, differently under crisis. responding distancing, fewer sources donations, need, plans future. discusses impact related issues access, larger sustainability. While critical paints temporary bandage ailing true before helped bring together planning implement change regional levels.For food/waste beyond offers opportunity better understand may development sustainable systems. Amidst hoarding, sharing transport being developed used throughout country, selling directly rates Runners 2020; ReFED light note circumvented decreased donations level “waste.” Elsewhere, participation (or money) provision formation new informal access. For most part, however, policymakers prognosticators see incentives, shift ideas rescuing facing consistently growing need (Kaufman 2020).Still, moment when risen precarious heights world, often limited blocked global multinational monocropping food. Although States relief provided government programs Farm Bank, unevenly distribution (ReFED breakdown likely shorter-term require face-to-face group interaction. step direction.Food made meaningful communicative actions taken connect it. business, groups doing offer view function socially, politically, culturally, ecologically. Research communication sorely we discourses sustainability resisted, possibilities thinking acting otherwise. gathered prior can paint communities plan communal segmentation stratification system. catastrophe provides exploring where, why political reasons. maintain normal times crisis, address. Such point focus away approach closely toward prioritizes all.