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FoodRecovery.org (formerly known as MEANS Database) is a nonprofit organization based in the United States that operates an online platform to facilitate the donation of surplus edible food to communities in need. The platform connects food businesses with excess food to nonprofit organizations and mutual aid groups, enabling them to claim these donations for free.

FoodRecovery.org aims to divert edible food away from landfills and bridge the gap between food surplus and food insecurity, making nutritious meals accessible to everyone. As of 2023, the organization has recovered over 52 million pounds of food across all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, serving over 540,000 people with nutritious meals.

History
FoodRecovery.org was co-founded in 2015 by Maria Rose Belding and Grant Nelson as MEANS (Matching Excess And Needs for Stability) Database. Belding, who had volunteered at a local food pantry, was inspired to create a website to modernize the food donation system and reduce food waste after witnessing the challenges faced by nonprofit staff in distributing excess food.

By the end of 2023, FoodRecovery.org had grown to over 3,400 food partners nationwide, including businesses and nonprofits and helped deliver more than 52 million pounds of food and supplies to organizations in all 50 states.

In 2024, the organization rebranded as FoodRecovery.org to better represent their mission.

Operations
FoodRecovery.org operates as a free online platform that allows food businesses to donate unsold food, while nonprofit organizations and mutual aid groups with a Tax ID Number can claim these donations for free. The platform facilitates the recovery and distribution of food donations of various types and sizes, including consumer packaged goods, prepared, frozen, shelf-stable, and refrigerated foods.