TROY, N.Y. — The Food Recovery Network at Russell Sage College is making strides in sustainability and community support by donating surplus food to Joseph’s House and Shelter. Each week, students and staff gather to pack and deliver approximately 40 pounds of food to the nearby shelter.
Gail Greggs, an early advocate for the program who works in food services at the college , emphasized the personal significance of the initiative. “It warms my heart because like I stated earlier, I’ve been there. So I know the struggle,” said Greggs.
The program, active since 2015, has seen growing student involvement, particularly as the campus adopts more sustainable practices, such as using green to-go containers. “They purchase one using their student dining dollars and then they’re able to keep it the entire semester or their entire student career here and use it in our facilities to take their food to go and it cuts down on paper and single plastic waste,” said Eric Murtagh, a Sodexo marketing coordinator.
Nutrition students are particularly engaged, viewing the program as a practical application of their studies. “Larger scale research studies that show when you have like a community working together that focus on nutritional needs, outcomes are so much better,” said Madline Naef, a student in the nutrition master’s program.
The initiative not only addresses food waste but also highlights the importance of nutrition in various aspects of life, including children’s school performance and mental health. Greggs expressed pride in the collective effort, saying, “I think it just puts a special place in everyone’s heart. You know that we are working as a team to make sure that we do the right things to help our community.”
Joseph’s House and Shelter Executive Director Amy LaFountain noted the impact of the program, stating, “The homeless people need to be seen and heard and so it shows that the folks that were served are seen and heard and fed.”
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