Intro to Replate’s Partner Organization Program: Promoting Collaboration over Competition!
In the food rescue space, collaboration is key.
Legislators collaborate with state agencies to draft up laws related to food rescue (like SB1383!), food rescue organizations collaborate with food generators to get their food surplus rescued and donated, and recipient (non-profit) organizations coordinate with kitchen staff and food rescue drivers to pick up and distribute donated food to their clients.
At Replate, our Partner Organization Program (or, PoP for short) highlights this collaborative spirit - it allows us to partner with local non-profit organizations to provide both a source of food and revenue.
So - how does the “Partner Org” program work?
Through our PoP, Replate supplements ongoing local food rescue operations by sending pickup opportunities directly to non-profit organizations that have the capacity to rescue and distribute food surplus.
Partner organizations will rescue food on Replate’s behalf, report the data back to us, and are then paid out a monthly invoice based on the number and weight of the food rescues performed. All in addition to being able to keep and distribute the rescued food themselves!
How can an interested organization join the program?
Typically, Replate will reach out to an organization based on our logistical needs (since we cannot guarantee that we’ll have opportunities for every organization that wants to sign up).
To begin a relationship, Replate will meet - usually via video or phone - with a local food rescue partner to better understand their operations, food rescue and distribution schedules, and driver setup. Some questions we might ask a potential partner:
Is the partner organization using paid or free volunteers, in-house drivers, or a third-party service?
What types of vehicles do they use?
Do they prefer recurring pickups, same-day requests, or both?
Based on this information, we determine which current or future food rescue opportunities might be a good fit for this partner. Additionally, we draft up a contract (MOU) outlining the the specifics of the partnership.
What types of organizations does Replate partner with?
Currently, Replate works with several food rescue partners across the country! In our partner program, we work with a wide variety of other types of non-profits - including other food rescue organizations, those that provide transitional housing/employment training, and even some that provide services to veterans.
Some of our largest partners include:
Self-Help Hunger Program (Oakland, CA/East Bay)
“Using public land, Self Help Hunger Program has been offering free food, free clothing, and free access to services for over 14 years. Based on free labor, dedication and endless love for humankind, Self Help Hunger Program stands as a testimony to the fact that when communities are left to care for themselves they can truly thrive.”
Self Help Hunger Program has already rescued and distributed 6,756 lbs of food in 2024 through Replate’s PoP!
Food Connect (bay area, Kansas city, Philadelphia)
“Food Connect bridges the gaps in our food system through innovative technology and focused collaboration to build impactful, sustainable hunger relief solutions. We are committed to reducing food insecurity and improving food equity in real-time and working hand in hand with existing community organizations.”
Food Connect has already rescued and distributed 6,835 lbs of food in 2024 through Replate’s PoP!
Loaves & Fishes Family Kitchen (Bay Area, Silicon Valley)
“Our mission is simple. We aim to provide hot and nutritious prepared meals, delivered and served to feed hungry families, children, seniors, veterans, students, and disabled individuals in our Bay Area community. ALL ARE WELCOME NO QUESTIONS ASKED. Our vision is ambitious. We want to create as many avenues as possible to ensure anyone in need of a meal in our community has access to nutritious and quality food.”
Loaves & Fishes Family Kitchen has already rescued and distributed 13,881 lbs of food in 2024 through Replate’s PoP!
Five Keys Schools and Programs (Bay area)
“Through the use of social and restorative justice principles, Five Keys provides traditionally underserved communities the opportunity to improve their lives through a focus on the Five Keys: EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, RECOVERY, FAMILY, COMMUNITY.”
Five Keys has already rescued and distributed 6,636 lbs of food in 2024 through Replate’s PoP!
Denver Food Rescue (denver, co)
“We increase health equity with Denver neighborhoods by rescuing high-quality, fresh produce and perishable foods that would otherwise be thrown away by grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and produce distributors. With the help of our amazing volunteers, the food we rescue is delivered (often biked!) to Denver neighborhoods for direct distribution at No Cost Grocery Programs (NCGPs). NCGPs are co-created with existing community organizations like schools, recreation centers, and nonprofits that are already established and trusted within the neighborhood, decreasing transportation barriers. Residents of the NCGP community lead the distribution of rescued food; many also help with food rescue shifts. This participation decreases the stigma of traditional food pantries, empowering each neighborhood to create a program that is appropriate for their culture & community.”
Denver Food Rescue has already rescued and distributed 4,033.2 lbs of food in 2024 through Replate’s PoP!
Food insecurity in the United States is a complex, multi-layered issue. There isn’t a single solution to it.
By working with a wide variety of food recovery partners, Replate is ensuring that we do our part in the fight against both climate change and food insecurity. Allowing our non-profit partners to keep and distribute rescued food from our Partner Organization Program is an effective method of granting food access to those who may not otherwise have it.
Collaborating with our partners in this way also allows us to ensure that we at Replate are doing all we can to work towards SB1383’s targeted reduction goals. We’re proud to be able to offer this type of partnership to the non-profits that we work with, and we are extremely grateful that we can support the impactful community work that they do.
Ensuring that #EverybodyEats is at the forefront of what we do, and achieving that goal would not be possible without the help of our food rescue partners.
Learn more about food access here.
Check out another non-profit spotlight for one of our partners in Chicago!