In a world where hunger and food waste coexist, one man's mission is creating a ripple of change that extends far beyond the Delaware Valley. Evan Ehlers, the founder of the nonprofit Sharing Excess, is on a relentless quest to rescue and redistribute the abundance of produce that would otherwise end up in landfills, feeding thousands in the process.
Rescuing Abundance, Nourishing Communities
Uncovering the Produce Paradox
The Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market, a colossal refrigerated facility the size of 14 football fields, is a hub of activity where restaurants and grocery stores source their fresh fruits and vegetables. Yet, amid this bustling marketplace, Evan Ehlers and his team at Sharing Excess are on a mission to salvage the produce that would otherwise be discarded due to imperfections or surplus."Everyday, we'll rescue between 30,000 to 50,000 pounds of food just from this one building alone," Ehlers reveals, underscoring the staggering scale of food waste that occurs even in the heart of the food distribution system. This paradox, where an abundance of edible produce is destined for the landfill while people go hungry, is the driving force behind Sharing Excess.Redistributing the Rescued Bounty
Sharing Excess operates right at the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market, with volunteers working tirelessly to sort, collect, and redistribute the rescued produce to a network of hundreds of nonprofits across the region. These organizations, in turn, channel the donated food to feed thousands of individuals and families in need.Abbe Stern, the Food Pharmacy Manager at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, is one of the many volunteers who witness the impact of Sharing Excess firsthand. "I'm going to be able to keep all the good, discard all the bad, and all of that good food makes its way back into the community," she says, highlighting the seamless process of transforming rescued produce into nourishment for those who need it most.Expanding the Reach, Amplifying the Impact
What started as a personal initiative by Ehlers to donate extra food from his university meal plan has now blossomed into a nationwide and even international operation. Sharing Excess is now present in 33 states, and the organization has made its first international shipment to Guatemala, demonstrating the scalability and adaptability of its model.The environmental impact of Sharing Excess's work is equally remarkable. By diverting food waste from landfills, the nonprofit has reduced the organic waste of the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market by 60%, saving the vendors more than million in disposal fees. This not only benefits the local community but also contributes to the global effort to mitigate the environmental consequences of food waste.The Power of Volunteers and the Call for More Hands
Ehlers emphasizes that the success of Sharing Excess is largely due to the dedication of its volunteers, who are the backbone of the organization's operations. As the holiday season approaches and food insecurity becomes even more acute, the need for additional volunteers to help save and sort the influx of donated produce becomes increasingly crucial."Food insecurity gets even greater around the holidays, and Thanksgiving is just two weeks away," Ehlers says. "Sharing Excess needs more volunteers to help save and sort food."The impact of Sharing Excess extends far beyond the immediate relief it provides to those in need. By tackling the systemic issue of food waste, the organization is creating a sustainable model that empowers communities, fosters environmental stewardship, and inspires others to join the movement towards a more equitable and nourishing future.
