Surplus food and student hunger: USC's three-part recovery network
The University of South Carolina recovers surplus food through three programs, each matched to where the food comes from. They're run by Carolina Food Co., operated by Aramark Collegiate Hospitality, with campus partners. Garnet Bites alerts more than 2,500 subscribers when catering leftovers are ready and has supported more than 190 events. Feed the Flock has made about 5,000 ready-to-eat meals from surplus and diverted more than 7,500 pounds of food. Food Recovery Network student volunteers have recovered about 12,000 pounds since spring 2025.
Why it matters for directors: A single recovery program rarely covers catering, dining halls and retail. Map your surplus by source, then pair each source with a pickup alert, upcycled meals or volunteers, all within food safety limits.
Original source: Aramark ↗