Here in the United States, we throw away 40% of our food supply every year.

Food in our landfills ferments and produces methane gas.

According to the Environmental Defense Fund, while methane doesn’t linger as long in the atmosphere as carbon dioxide, it is initially far more devastating to the climate because of how effectively it absorbs heat. In the first two decades after its release, methane is 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas.

While contributing to climate change, that wasted food could have fed people who simply don’t have enough to eat in our country. How can we work together to change these statistics?

On Thursday, March 15, the Creation Justice Team at Douglas UCC welcomed Tracey Shafroth, national and local environmentalist, to speak with us on the subject of food waste. She defined the problem for us and helped us understand how communities and individuals are working together to help curb the problem.

Here, along with Tracey’s presentation, is a list of resources we can explore to understand food waste and address it in our home and community. Do you have other resources or ideas? Please contact us to let us know.

Download Tracey Shafroth’s Food Waste PowerPoint File

Explore Food Waste

Reduce Food Waste at Home

Eating Foods In Season

Help Fund Programs that Fight Food Waste in Our Cities

Food pantries within 25 of Douglas, MI:

Christian Neighbors, Inc. (Douglas) (0.4 miles)
(269)857-1050 | 100 Saint Peters Drive, Douglas MI, 49406

Ladders of Hope USA Inc. (6.4 miles)
(269)340-1113 | 717 E. Main Street, Fennville MI, 49408

Shekinah Revival Ministries (7.7 miles)
(616)392-5945 | 1941 Washington Ave., Holland MI, 49423

Providence CRC Pantry (9.4 miles)
(616)396-5661 | 821 Ottawa Avenue, Holland MI, 49423

Hamilton CRC (10.4 miles)
(269)751-8877 | 3596 47th Street, Hamilton MI, 49419

Community Action House (10.6 miles)
(616)392-2368 | 345 West 14th Street, Holland MI, 49423

Holland Spanish SDA Church (10.7 miles)
(517)331-8332 | 169 W. 16th Street, Holland MI, 49423

St. Vincent dePaul Center/St. Frances deSales-Holland (10.8 miles)
(616)392-6700 | 170 W. 13th Street, Holland MI, 49423

Salvation Army – Holland (12.0 miles)
(616)392-4461 | 104 Clover Street, Holland MI, 49423

Love INC of Northwest Allegan County-Pullman (12.2 miles)
(269)236-6295 | 943 56th Street, Pullman MI, 49450

Heights of Hope (12.4 miles)
(616)392-8559 | 995 E. 8th Street, Holland MI, 49423

Community Action House – North (12.9 miles)
(616)738-1170 | 665 136th Avenue STE 60, Holland MI, 49424

His Harvest Stand Pantry (14.7 miles)
(616)748-6003 | 100 South Pine Street, Suite 100, Zeeland MI, 49464

First Congregational South Haven-We Care Food Pantry (16.8 miles)
(269)637-4342 | 651 Phoenix Street, South Haven MI, 49090

Christ Embassy/IMA (17.9 miles)
(269)925-8583 | 1301 M-43 Hwy Ste #4, South Haven MI, 49090

Church of Christ – South Haven (18.2 miles)
(269)637-4861 | 73121 M-43, South Haven MI, 49090

In His Name Ministries/JJMWM (22.7 miles)
(616)896-1570 | 4055 Van Buren, Hudsonville MI, 49426

Carpenter’s House Outreach Church (22.9 miles)
(616)662-2660 | 4995 32nd Avenue, Hudsonville MI, 49426

Love INC – Hudsonville (23.4 miles)
(616)662-3300 | 3300 Van Buren, Hudsonville MI, 49426

St. Vincent DePaul Society – Bangor (23.7 miles)
(269)427-8009 | 201 South Walnut, Bangor MI, 49013

Van Buren United Civic Organization (24.1 miles)
(269)764-8854 | 73292 34th Avenue, Covert MI, 49043

First Congregational Church of Covert (24.3 miles)
(269)906-0906 | 73893 34th Ave., Covert MI, 49043

Epiphany Lutheran Church Pantry (25.0 miles)
(616)681-7205 | 4219 Park Lane, Dorr MI, 49323

Christian Fellowship Assembly Pantry (25.0 miles)
(616)895-7614 | 9930 64th Avenue, Allendale MI, 49401

Before visiting any pantry, we suggest calling ahead to confirm their hours and eligibility requirements.

(This food pantry data courtesy of feedwm.org)