Through a collaboration with the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank, the San Diego County Fair’s new food recovery program contributed to the distribution of over 2,800 meals to families around the region this summer.
Many food sellers frequently have perishable goods at the end of the 20-day fair that they are unable to transport to their next location. Vendors were asked to donate the food rather than letting it go to waste.
This year, the San Diego Food Bank received 2,977 pounds of excess food from fair vendors, which is around 2,481 meals. 168 pounds of bread and chilled items, 775 pounds of frozen proteins, and 1,934 pounds of fresh produce were among the offerings.
Additionally, 418 pounds of food from its on-site markets were provided by fair sponsor Albertsons /Vons, which supplied 348 meals’ worth of basic foods including peanut butter and canned veggies.
The Food to Nonprofits Program of the San Diego Food Bank, which provides services to over 450 nonprofit partners around the county, handled the distribution of all the food.
The 22nd District Agricultural Association (22nd DAA), the organization that organizes the yearly Fair and runs the Del Mar Fairgrounds, created the food recovery program, which saw 800 pounds of food given by fair vendors through various routes. The initiative is in line with California SB 1383, a state law that aims to solve food insecurity, reduce organic waste, and lower methane emissions.
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Carlene Moore, CEO of the 22nd DAA, stated, “We take pride in serving our community in times of celebration and in times of need.” By fusing the enjoyment of the fair with our continued dedication to sustainability and community involvement, this program unites those ideals.
Frederick Schenk, president of the 22nd DAA Board, reiterated that opinion, describing the effort as a means of expanding the Fair’s impact beyond its summer run.
According to Schenk, “programs like this allow us to make a meaningful difference for those who may not attend the San Diego County Fair, which brings joy to so many people each year.”
The new collaboration with the fairgrounds was a logical step, according to Casey Castillo, CEO of the San Diego Food Bank.
We can combat hunger and food waste simultaneously by collaborating with the San Diego County Fair, Castillo added. As a result of this endeavor, nonprofit organizations who feed their communities on a daily basis now possess thousands of pounds of high-quality, nutrient-dense food. It benefits both parties.
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Love Does, one of the Food Bank’s nonprofit partners, collects fresh corn that is donated from the fair and gives it to nearby families.
Early cooperation between the 22nd DAA and the Food Bank to create new collaborative projects was part of the planning for the 2025 fair. The Food Bank not only started the food recovery program but also sponsored the Fair’s new Farm 2 U Exhibit, which shows how food and flowers go from nearby fields to family tables.
Additionally, 1,200 pounds of nutrient-rich compost from the Food Bank’s Miramar warehouse were donated to the Del Mar Fairgrounds for use in planters and garden beds. In addition to keeping food waste out of landfills, the composting facility helps the charity save around $25,000 annually on disposal expenses.
Go to www.andiegofoodbank.org to find out more.
