Turning Surplus into Support
Food Rescue at the White Bear Area Food Shelf
Every week, thousands of pounds of good, nutritious food are rescued from going to waste and instead shared with neighbors facing hunger. At the White Bear Area Food Shelf, food rescue is a powerful way to reduce food waste, stretch donor dollars, and offer greater choice to visitors.
Our Food Rescue Partners
We are grateful to the local retail partners who donate surplus food throughout the week. Listed alphabetically, our food rescue partners include:
- Cub Foods – Arden Hills
- Cub Foods – White Bear Township
- Fresh Thyme – Vadnais Heights
- Kowalski’s – White Bear Lake
- Kwik Trip – Centerville
- Kwik Trip – Vadnais Heights
- Lunds & Byerly’s – White Bear Lake
- Target – Vadnais Heights
- Walmart – Vadnais Heights
Their ongoing commitment makes it possible to safely redirect food that still has value and nourishment into our community.
The Impact of Food Rescue
In FY 2025, food rescue totaled 555,292 pounds of food, making up 30% of all food available to neighbors at the White Bear Area Food Shelf. This food includes a wide mix of dairy, produce, bakery items, frozen foods, deli offerings, pre-made meals, and proteins—items that are often difficult or expensive to source through traditional food shelf channels. These rescued foods improve meal quality, expand choice, and help neighbors bring home ingredients that better meet their cultural, dietary, and household needs.
Thank You to BizRecycling
This vital work is made possible in part through consistent grant support from BizRecycling, which has supported the White Bear Area Food Shelf for the past four years.
BizRecycling works with businesses and organizations in Ramsey and Washington counties to reduce waste and improve recycling and organics (food waste) practices. Since 2014, BizRecycling has helped thousands of businesses divert usable food and materials from landfills by providing technical assistance and awarding grants that improve waste management systems. Their support helps cover the logistics required for food rescue—transportation, storage, and safe handling—so rescued food can reliably reach the neighbors who need it.
Food rescue is a win for our environment, our partner businesses, and our community. We are thankful to our retail partners for their generosity and to BizRecycling for their continued investment in a program that reduces waste while increasing access to nutritious food.
Together, we are ensuring that good food finds a second purpose—and that our neighbors have more on the table.
