Charity worried El Paso’s plan to reduce food waste could create confusion

The city of El Paso is working to fight food waste and help feed the hungry.

But the leader of one local non-profit said his group is already doing that and fears similar programs could be confusing.

El Pasoans Fighting Hunger distributes nearly 25,000 pounds of food to families in need each day.

The food bank has agreements with grocery stores to pick up unsold food that would otherwise be thrown away.

But executive director Victor Nevarez said recently something went wrong.

“We showed up at one of our regular retail outlets and we were told no. Someone has already been here to pick up the food. And we said who was it? And they said, well wasn’t it you? And they said no,” said Nevarez.

Nevarez doesn’t know who did it, but this is exactly the type of confusion he is worried about now that the city of El Paso is launching an effort to reduce food waste by enlisting the help of volunteers.

Nevarez said he was never even contacted by city officials about the plans.

But the city insists its effort will include numerous agencies including El Pasoans Fighting Hunger.

Nicole Ferrini works for the city of El Paso and is spearheading the project to reduce food waste.

“Part of the food waste proclamation that we put forward at city council a week or so ago, is so that we could create an awareness of all the different work that is going on in the community and bring it all together into a concerted effort,” Ferrini said.

EP Food is another group working to reduce food waste. Members were at that city council meeting.

While Nevarez is glad to see more people joining the fight against hunger, he feels somewhat slighted.

“We’ve been in front of the city council twice a year since we have been in existence. So, they should know we exist. So for us not to even be brought up in that conversation was a little disheartening,” Nevarez said.

The city is creating a food policy council with volunteers chosen from the public.

The idea is working together to make sure mix ups don’t happen again and donations reach those who need them the most.

The city and other local food groups will be touring the El Pasoans Fighting Hunger facility next week.

City officials are excited because the group has the capacity to store food which is something they need.

Earlier this week, ABC 7 reported Canutillo ISD is working to help feed hungry students and community members.

Students can now eat a free dinner at any of the district’s four campuses. Adults pay $3.25.

El Pasoans Fighting Hunger is now in talks with Canutillo ISD to harvest extra food not prepared for meals. That food would otherwise likely end up in landfills.

The Canutillo program is being funded by a federal grant.