Understanding the Gap: Why Supermarkets Only Donate a Fraction of Surplus Food

With rising grocery prices and a growing number of low-income Americans facing hunger, it's perplexing that only 13% of surplus food from U.S. supermarkets makes its way to food banks. This figure, derived from a 2026 report by ReFED, a nonprofit focused on combating food waste, highlights a disturbing disconnect between food availability and food distribution.

The staggering majority of surplus food is either composted, converted into animal feed, transformed into biofuels, sold at reduced prices, or discarded in landfills. In a time when millions are losing access to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, the question remains: why the underwhelming food donations?

The Communication Breakdown

As a researcher in food supply chains, I’ve witnessed firsthand how the interaction—or lack thereof—between retailers and food banks impacts donation levels. A significant issue arises from the inconsistent communication from retailers regarding available surplus food. Food banks often are not informed of the quantities of food that can be picked up, complicating their logistics. This disconnect hampers the efficiency of food recovery efforts.

Food banks are large organizations that play a key role in managing the distribution of donated food. Their operations involve procuring, storing, and distributing food to smaller food pantries, which in turn serve the immediate needs of individuals and families facing food insecurity. However, without timely and clear information on available donations, food banks struggle to manage logistics effectively.

Logistical Limitations

Food banks maintain complex logistics to pick up donations from retailers. They operate fleets of vehicles and plan routes across multiple counties to maximize their reach. However, the unpredictability of available food complicates their scheduling. For instance, without advance knowledge of how much food might be available, food banks can’t adequately plan the size of their transportation or the number of personnel needed for pickups.

This inconsistent data leads to arbitrary scheduling. A food bank might send larger vehicles to well-stocked retailers but fail to adequately assess smaller stores or rural supermarkets. This results in an inefficient allocation of resources, preventing food banks from optimizing their capacity.

Expanding Roles for Food Pantries

In recent years, the landscape has started to change, with food pantries increasingly picking up donations directly from supermarkets. This shift often benefits both parties; food banks can focus on managing larger collections, while nearby food pantries serve immediate community needs. However, this approach does not come without its own challenges.

Research on food pantries engaging directly with retailers reveals increased donation volumes. For instance, data collected from five major stores showed that one store nearly doubled its donation volume by allowing food pantries to collect directly. Yet, the lack of reliable data about available surplus food makes it difficult to assess outcomes accurately.

Challenges Ahead

Food pantries, inherently more constrained than food banks, often have limited storage and tighter budgets, leading to further complications. Their volunteer-based operations can be unreliable, and missed pickups disrupt relationships with grocery store managers. When food pantries do not keep scheduled pickups, it risks damaging trust, ultimately leading to more food being discarded rather than donated.

The situation’s complexity is underscored by capacity limitations faced by food banks and food pantries alike. Both entities are stretched thin, attempting to handle diverse food sourcing, whether from government programs or direct purchases from local suppliers. Efforts to improve coordination between food retailers, food banks, and pantries are vital. Establishing clearer communication channels could facilitate better planning and ensure that more surplus food finds its way to those in need.

Looking Ahead

Solving the challenges surrounding food donations requires innovation at both local and national levels. Improved data sharing, reliable volunteer systems, and strategic partnerships can enhance the food recovery process. For example, if food retailers accurately inform food banks and pantries about available surplus, more food could be saved from waste and redirected to help those facing hunger.

While notable progress has been made over the last decade in adapting supply chains, it’s clear that there’s still work to be done. By bridging the information gap, we can ensure that surplus food reaches the people who need it most, optimizing the system to put an end to hunger rather than contributing to waste.