Minnesota Timberwolves & Lynx Leading The Fight Against Food Waste

WASTED

I have a son who works in the food industry, and it was shocking when he first started working to learn how much food is thrown away. Everywhere he has worked, food that wasn't purchased is thrown away. It's shocking to think that every location that serves food or sells food has this waste.

EXCEPTIONS

Some businesses will take unprepared food off the floor before it expires and let their employees purchase it for a discounted price. Some places will donate some of their non-perishable goods.

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AMAZING SPORT TEAMS MAKING A DIFFERENCE

That's why I was so excited that our Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx is doing something about it.

The team's Executive Chef, David Fhima, along with the Senior Executive Chef at the Target Center, Jason Steidle, make sure that whatever is prepared for the gigantic crowds at Timberwolves or Lynx games isn't wasted.

Jason says that the unsold food is portioned into small containers and donated to Youthlink in downtown Minneapolis.

WCCO/CBS Minnesota/YouTube

YOUTHLINK

We all know what an impact professional sports players have on our youth, and Youthlink serves over 100,000 meals a year. Youthlink's CEO Rich Melzer said, "It's helping the most vulnerable young adults in the Twin Cities that are coming here for refuge, that are coming here for safety." He also said that the partnership helps Youthlink save money and resources, but truly what's most important is the bond that is created.

"We're nourishing them with high-quality food that they might not get elsewhere, and that support tells young people that we love them," said Melzer.

According to an online article, every game that the Timberwolves play at home, about 175 pounds of food are donated. Since the beginning of the program last season, they have already donated 7 tons of food.