Waste Less Solutions expands into Summit County to combat food waste

Photo: Waste Less Solutions

PARK CITY, Utah – Waste Less Solutions, a nonprofit dedicated to reducing food waste and its environmental impact, is expanding its operations into Summit County with support from the Park City Community Foundation. This expansion is part of the foundation’s Zero Food Waste initiative, a community-led effort to divert all food waste from local landfills by 2030.

This summer, the Park City Community Foundation awarded Waste Less Solutions a grant to help expand its services into Summit County. The funding will allow the nonprofit to hire a part-time employee to lead regional efforts and scale its operations.

“Waste Less Solutions is an amazing organization that is helping to address the issue of food waste and food insecurity,” said Andy Hecht, Climate Fund Manager at the Park City Community Foundation. “They’ve already made a huge impact in other counties, and we’re excited to see them build capacity here in Summit County.”

Founded in 2018 by CEO Dana Williamson, the Salt Lake City-based organization focuses on educating the public about food waste, preventing it at the source, and redistributing surplus food to those in need. Through partnerships with local groups like the Christian Center and food banks, Waste Less Solutions coordinates donations using the Food Rescue US app. The app connects volunteers with excess food from businesses and events, delivering it to nonprofits that serve food-insecure individuals.

“I am really excited to expand into Park City and Summit County,” Williamson said. “This community has already shown deep commitment to reducing food waste, and we’re ready to jump in and support that effort using our food rescue model.”

Food wasted at the retail, event, and restaurant levels accounts for nearly one-third of all food waste, while approximately 400,000 people in Utah face food insecurity. The expansion of Waste Less Solutions into Summit County will help divert surplus edible food away from landfills and into the hands of those who need it most.

“Food waste is one of the leading contributors to greenhouse gases,” Williamson said. “By addressing food waste, we can make a significant environmental impact while also helping those in need.”

The Park City Community Foundation launched the Zero Food Waste initiative this summer. It includes a curbside collection program for food waste in the 84060 and 84098 zip codes. Waste Less Solutions will complement this effort by ensuring edible food is rescued and redistributed.

“We need everyone to be all in on this goal, including residents, businesses, and local government officials,” said Joel Zarrow, CEO of the Park City Community Foundation. “Systematic change doesn’t happen overnight, but working with organizations like Waste Less Solutions gets us closer to a sustainable future.”

While full operations in Summit County will take time to develop, Williamson said the organization is ready to begin. Community members interested in donating, volunteering, or learning more about open positions can visit wastelesssolutions.org.

For more information on the Park City Community Foundation’s Zero Food Waste initiative, click here.