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Saving the planet may not be the first thing that comes to mind when someone says “eat your vegetables,” but the decisions we make about food can have some of the most meaningful environmental impact. Where it comes from, how it gets to us, and what we do with it matters.

In fact, each year, 125 billion pounds of food go to waste in the United States, right along with all the precious resources used to grow, wash and transport it. This waste accounts for 14% of all US water consumption and 176 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions. To put it in perspective, that’s equal to the emissions of a car driving 431 billion miles! All spent growing perfectly good produce that goes uneaten.  Something needs to change, and that change can start with us.

“Simple choices, like how we get our food, are more powerful than we think,” says CEO and Founder of Hungry Harvest, Evan Lutz. “By rescuing produce that would otherwise go to waste, we’re helping to fight climate change one box of fruits and veggies at a time.”

Hungry Harvest is a produce delivery service on a mission to end food waste and hunger. Each week, fresh fruits & vegetables are curated, packed up and delivered to homes across our area. The boxes are easily customized and come in a variety of sizes and options so that subscribers can individualize their harvest and make it just right for their home, ensuring that everything gets used. Every harvest delivery saves at least 10 pounds of produce from going to waste and every pound of that produce reduces water waste, greenhouse gas emissions, and our dependence on oil.

Based on the belief that every person has the right to eat healthy and that every fruit and vegetable deserves to be eaten, we help farmers by rescuing produce that wouldn’t otherwise be able to sell due to cosmetic imperfections or surpluses. Together with our Harvest Heroes, we are truly able to make a difference. The impact is consistent, convenient, and quickly adds up.

Since the company started four years ago, Hungry Harvest has rescued over 8 million pounds of produce from going to waste, reducing 376 million gallons of water waste, and eliminating 2300 cars-worth of emissions. Additionally, we have donated over 750,000 pounds of produce to local hunger solving organizations, like Philabundance, who serves food to approximately 90,000 people around Philly every week.

Food waste is an issue that can be solved, and from the farm to the kitchen, our goal is to fight it at every level. When we start small, but think big, the everyday decisions we make can have a positive impact, and that is something we believe everyone can get behind.

Hungry Harvest is now available in nine states, including the greater Philadelphia area with boxes of fresh fruits and veggies starting as low as $15. You can learn more about the good work we are doing and sign up at our website. Use the code GREENPHILLYBLOG and you’ll get $5 off first order at shop.hungryharvest.net

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Julie Hancher is Editor-in-Chief of Green Philly, sharing her expertise of all things sustainable in the city of brotherly love. She enjoys long walks in the park with local beer and greening her travels, cooking & cat, Sir Floofus Drake. View all posts by Julie Hancher