Memphis has always been a city of resilience and generosity. From neighbors helping neighbors to businesses giving back, we’ve built a community that knows how to take care of its own. That spirit is at the heart of Project Green Fork (PGF), a program of Clean Memphis, which recently hit a major milestone: rescuing 250,000 pounds of surplus food through Careit, a food donation platform.
That number represents more than 200,000 meals provided to our neighbors across the city. It’s also a powerful reminder that food doesn’t have to go to waste when businesses and nonprofits work together.
The challenge of food waste and food insecurity
According to Feeding America, about one in nine Shelby County residents experience food insecurity. For too many families, access to fresh and affordable meals isn’t guaranteed. At the same time, restaurants, hotels, event venues, and grocers often find themselves with surplus food at the end of the day.
In the past, efforts to connect surplus food to those who need it were often inconsistent. Coordinating donations required time-consuming calls and individual arrangements, making it difficult to scale. That meant perfectly good food was still ending up in the landfill – wasting nutrients, money, and the resources it took to produce them.
PGF knew there had to be a better way. That’s why, in 2023, the team adopted Careit as its rescue software partner. The platform streamlines donations and provides clear tracking, giving businesses confidence that their contributions are safe, compliant, and impactful.
Since then, PGF has partnered with 85 local businesses, including FedExForum, Renasant Convention Center, and dozens of restaurants. Together, they’ve made 2,500 donations and kept perfectly good food out of the trash and on neighbors’ tables.
Why it matters
When food ends up in landfills, it wastes nutrients that could have fed someone, and it also drives methane emissions, a greenhouse gas that is about 80 times more powerful than carbon dioxide in its first 20 years. By rescuing surplus food, Project Green Fork prevents those emissions and ensures that valuable natural resources like water and energy aren’t wasted.
This milestone shows how food rescue strengthens both the environment and the community: people gain access to wholesome meals, and businesses find peace of mind knowing their surplus is making a meaningful difference. Together, these efforts are shaping Memphis into a city that prioritizes both sustainability and care for its neighbors.
The road to 500,000
Reaching 250,000 pounds of food rescued is a major milestone, but it’s only the beginning. Project Green Fork is now setting its sights on doubling that number, with a goal of 500,000 pounds rescued over the next two years.
With Careit’s expanding features, including pilots that make it possible to share donations as small as a single meal directly with families, the program is building new pathways to ensure no good food goes to waste. Each pound saved represents more meals on tables, less strain on the planet, and a stronger, healthier Memphis for all.
How you can help
None of this progress would be possible without local businesses that step up to donate. From restaurants and caterers to stadiums and universities, Memphis has proven that surplus food can be a source of hope.
If you’re a business with extra food, consider getting involved with Project Green Fork. And if you’re a Memphian who cares about sustainability and food security, help spread the word.
Together, we can create a city where good food isn’t thrown away, and every neighbor has access to the meals they need.
Clean Memphis is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2008 with a vision to foster a cleaner and greener Memphis, inspiring Memphians to become environmental stewards grounded in civic responsibility.
