Divert Inc., a circular economy company focused on preventing food waste, has partnered with The Raley’s Companies to reduce wasted food and increase donations in California and Nevada.
Raley’s has implemented Divert’s platform across all 118 of its retail locations, achieving full participation within one month. The program enhances the grocer’s landfill diversion efforts while expanding food recovery initiatives to get more fresh food to people in need.
Divert’s technology includes IoT tracking and actionable data insights. Combined with co-training and store walkthroughs with personnel from Feeding America food banks, the system helped Raley’s improve donation programs while also ensuring compliance with California’s SB 1383 regulations.
“Divert is proud to work with Raley’s to advance our shared vision of a circular economy for unsold food,” said Ben Kuethe Oaks, Divert’s VP and general manager of retail. “Our work together is demonstrating the tremendous opportunity retailers have to go beyond landfill diversion alone and further reduce waste by uncovering donation opportunities that benefit the local community.”
The partnership is already increasing donations of fresh, nutritious food, while unsold food that cannot be donated is sent to Divert’s Integrated Diversion & Energy Facility in Turlock, California. There, it is transformed into carbon-negative renewable energy and soil amendment to return nutrients to the earth.
“Raley’s has long been committed to using resources responsibly and supporting our neighbors when they need it most,” said Natalie Slatter, Raley’s VP of operations. “Our relationship with Divert is nourishing our communities, our planet and helping our customers live happier, healthier lives. We’re thrilled to be making this announcement during Hunger Action Month and look forward to the continued positive impact of Raley’s donation programs.”
With 47 million Americans facing hunger, Hunger Action Month aims to raise awareness of the issue. Feeding America estimates grocery retailers rescue more than 2 billion pounds of donatable unsold food annually, with nearly 1 billion more pounds still available for recovery.
Divert works with more than 2,000 retail locations in California and continues to expand its infrastructure, including its newly opened Turlock facility.
[RELATED: The Raley’s Companies Promotes 2 Executives]