Did you know, Californians send 11.2 billion pounds of food to landfills each year? And unfortunately, It’s not uncommon for fresh, edible food to end up in the landfill–that of which could have been recovered to feed the millions of Californians in need.
According to CalRecycle, 4.3 million Californians (10.8% of California’s population) didn’t have enough to eat in 2018. By May 2020, that number had doubled to 9.2 million (23% of California’s population) who didn’t know where their next meal would come from.
In an effort to reduce food waste and address food insecurity, the State of California is requiring businesses to donate edible food to food banks, soup kitchens, and other food recovery organizations and services. As part of SB 1383, it’s California's goal to rescue at least 20% of currently disposed of edible food by 2025.
If you or someone you know is in need of food, there are a number of food recovery organizations in the Town of Yucca Valley and surrounding areas:
Food Pantries in Yucca Valley
Santa Fe Social Club
56020 Santa Fe Trail, Suite M (760) 369-4057
1st Wednesday of the month, 3pm-5pm *Get in line by 1:30pm*
Church of the Nazarene
56248 Buena Vista Drive
2nd Thursday of the month, 11:30am *Get in line around 9am*
Yucca Valley Senior Center
57088 29 Palms Hwy (760) 257-5761
Mobile food pantry 3rd Thursday of month from 9:00am-10:30am
Senior Lunch served Monday-Friday at 11:00am. Call or come in to signup.
FSA Meals on Wheels – call to signup.
Gateway Assembly of God Church
7546 Kickapoo Trail (760) 365-8374
Tuesday & Wednesday, 10am-1pm
Calvary Christian Fellowship
288 Old Woman Springs Rd, Landers (760) 364-4195
Third Friday of month from 11am-1pm
Food Pantries in Joshua Tree
Joshua Tree Community Center
6171 Sunburst Avenue (760) 668-5255
USDA Food Distribution - 3rd Monday of the month, 10am-noon
FSA Senior Meal Distribution every Wednesday 9am-Noon
Way Station
61722 Commercial Street (760) 366-9880
Food Distribution Tuesday thru Friday, 9am-Noon
Continental breakfast served 9am-10:30am
Hot lunch served 11am-Noon
To learn more about food recovery in Yucca Valley, visit Yucca-Valley.org/Services/SB-1383-Organics-Recycling
