Hollywood's Secret: This Nonprofit Feeds Thousands Weekly!

Rasmus Johansson Published: Read: 1 min
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© Photo: RDNE Stock project / Pexels

Hollywood film sets are known for their glamour, but they also generate a surprising amount of food waste daily. Assistant directors Hillary Cohen and Samantha Luu witnessed this firsthand, inspiring them to take action. They founded Every Day Action, a nonprofit dedicated to rescuing untouched meals from sets. This innovative effort not only helps feed communities in need but also tackles a critical environmental issue by reducing climate-warming emissions.

Feeding a bustling film crew is like catering a large event every day, and often, more food is prepared than consumed. Changes in filming schedules or unexpected absences can lead to a significant surplus, leaving perfectly good meals destined for the trash.

That's where Every Day Action steps in. Their dedicated team collects unused meals directly from production sets, rerouting them to local food pantries, shelters, and low-income residences. It's a simple idea with a massive impact.

This initiative saves a remarkable amount of food, often ranging from 500 to 2,000 meals each week. These rescued meals provide vital nourishment to people facing food insecurity, making a direct difference in their lives.

Beyond feeding people, this effort has significant environmental benefits. When food rots in landfills, it releases methane, a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. By diverting food from landfills, Every Day Action helps reduce these harmful emissions. It also lessens the overall demand for new food production, processing, and transportation—all activities that generate carbon pollution. It's a win-win for both people and the planet.