The Retail Store Level Pickup Program (RSLPP) gives the food bank and its agencies access to all food types, including fresh produce, dairy, meat and bread. Feeding the Gulf Coast and select partner agencies pick up from nearly 80 stores each week, collecting over 400,000 pounds of food each month.
To help combat the issue of food waste, the program was created on the national level by Feeding America. The goal is to connect retail grocery partners with local food banks. When stores have slightly damaged product or product nearing its expiration date, they pull it from shelves and instead of disposing of it, they donate it. The Retail Store Level Pickup Program provides nearly 60% of the food bank’s total food inventory. Over 70% of that is fresh product.
In 2013, the food bank started recruiting agencies to pick-up food directly from retail stores. This enables to food bank to use resources like trucks, employees and monetary donations other places as well as gets the food into the hands of the hungry faster.
Local Retail Donation Partners
Big Lots
Costco
Farm Fresh Meats
Flowers Foods
Fresh Market
Military Commissaries
Piggly Wiggly
Publix
Sam’s Club
Save-A-Lot
Target
Walmart
Winn Dixie
