Kim Aprill is the co-founder and executive director of Feeding Charlotte, an innovative nonprofit making a bridge between those who have excess food with local nonprofits and churches serving the hungry — a role that tackles the problems of climate change and hunger at the same time.
About 40% of food produced in the United States ends up as waste. Many people throw away food before it actually expires because of under-estimated “best-if-used-by” dates printed on the packaging, and many grocery stores and kitchens will throw away a whole bag of apples if only one apple is rotten.
Feeding Charlotte collects excess food from hospitals, universities, caterers and large retirement communities and distributes it to those who are hungry in Charlotte.
In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Aprill discusses:
How Feeding Charlotte made it through the pandemic as its main source of food — like university dining halls — shut down.
How food waste is an environmental issue.
What food Feeding Charlotte accepts and from what sources.
The importance of addressing food insecurity in Charlotte.
How the nonprofit distributes its food (using software called Chow Match).
What advice Aprill would give to her younger self.
Aprill received The Ledger’s 40 Over 40 Award in 2022 for her work with Feeding Charlotte.
This podcast episode is part of a series highlighting winners of The Ledger’s 40 Over 40 awards, which honor and celebrate often unheralded people over the age of 40 who are making impactful contributions to Charlotte. It’s hosted by Steve Dunn of Miles Mediation and Arbitration.
Find out more about the 40 Over 40 awards by going to ledger40over40.com.
We hope you enjoy the conversation with Kim Aprill.
The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is produced by Lindsey Banks.
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Salvaging food to feed Charlotte's hungry, with Kim Aprill