This is part of our Summit Sponsor Series, which features articles written by sponsors of the ReFED Food Waste Solutions Summit about the food waste work they are doing. All views and opinions expressed in these articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of ReFED.

1. What is the name of your organization and what do you do?

At The Tepper Foundation, we support organizations working on the frontlines to expand opportunity—from promoting food and housing security to protecting fundamental rights. By working hand-in-hand with our grantee partners, we identify needs in communities and strive to meet them. We are also responsive to moments of great need; quickly deploying resources in the wake of unforeseen crises and natural disasters through our nimble approach to giving.

2. Why is addressing food waste important to your organization?

The Tepper Foundation has been committed to fighting food insecurity and creating more sustainable food systems for more than two decades. We believe there is a direct link between reducing food waste, addressing food insecurity at the community level, and minimizing the impact of our food systems on climate change.

3. What are some ways that your organization works to reduce food waste? Any examples that you’d like to highlight?

We aim to fund organizations that are implementing innovative solutions to reduce waste while also addressing acute food insecurity in New Jersey communities.

Two of our grantees working to reduce food waste and address food insecurity that we’d love to highlight are:

• Move For Hunger: Their network of socially responsible relocation companies provides their customers, clients, and residents with the opportunity to donate their food when they move. Since 2009, they have delivered more than 60 million pounds of food to food banks across the United States and Canada. That’s the equivalent of more than 50 million meals. In 2024, Move for Hunger released a report, “Exploring Potential Solutions for Increasing the Availability of Fresh Food for Those Experiencing Food Insecurity in South Jersey.” Funded by The Tepper Foundation, this report identifies that the problem isn’t that there isn’t enough food; too much of it is being wasted at every level of the supply chain (farm to home). The report identified local strengths and assets and explored collaborative solutions to food insecurity.

• America’s Grow-A-Row: America’s Grow-A-Row (AGAR) is on a mission to end hunger and address the alarming rate of food insecurity in New Jersey and beyond by using fresh produce as a tool. With The Tepper Foundation’s support in 2024, AGAR delivered over 14 million servings of fresh produce to families in its service areas and educated more than 4,000 people about sustainable farming, hunger issues and healthy eating. Knowing 30-40% of the nation’s food supply goes to waste, a large part of AGAR’s mission is gleaning—the act of collecting produce that would otherwise be wasted—both on and off the farm.

4. Why is your organization sponsoring the 2025 ReFED Food Waste Solutions Summit?

The Tepper Foundation is sponsoring the ReFED Food Waste Solutions Summit because we believe that collaboration is essential to create impactful, sustainable solutions. The Summit is a great opportunity for idea sharing and bridge-building among leaders and organizations working towards the same goals.

5. What’s one thing you’re most looking forward to at the 2025 ReFED Food Waste Solutions Summit?

We are looking forward to hearing from food systems leaders and about new, promising solutions to both the food insecurity and climate crises.