The Sustainable Business Network (SBN) of Greater Philadelphia held a kick-off event for its Food Saver Challenge, a food reporting initiative, at Ebru Coffee Roastery Thursday morning. The initiative challenges local businesses to report their food waste over a two-month period and provides them with sustainability resources. The Food Saver Challenge is made possible by a partnership with the Montgomery County Food Policy Council and aims to reduce waste and food insecurity across the county.

Participating businesses will learn sustainable purchasing and tracking methods, as well as repurpose their excess food. Partnerships with organizations like the Share Food Program (Share) and Mother Compost will allow them to redistribute unused food to those in need and reuse spoiled food as compost. Participants will be evaluated with a point system and have access to SBN membership, resources and additional opportunities. By the end of the challenge, the business with the greatest waste-reduction impact will win a $5,000 prize.

The Food Saver Challenge runs from October 1 to November 30. Interested businesses can apply through this link: Apply to SBN’s Montgomery County 2026 Food Saver Challenge and Help Eliminate Food Waste! Applications are open until August 31.

This is the first time the Food Saver Challenge has come to Montgomery County, said Zoraida Cordero, Executive Director of SBN. SBN has launched the initiative before in Philadelphia, but is now expanding its reach into the suburbs. According to Cordero, “up to 40% of the food produced in this country never gets eaten,” and expansion of the program is one way to combat that waste.

Attendees heard from representatives of sustainability organizations and small businesses. Carla Clanagan, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Share Food Program, said the need for food has grown at an unprecedented rate. She cited cuts to SNAP benefits and rising grocery prices as a reason for the demand.

Montgomery County Commissioner Jamila Winder was also in attendance and gave some remarks on the program. “Every time new food goes in the trash, we know we lose an opportunity to feed someone who is hungry, and we lose resources,” she offered.

Since 2023, Montgomery County has invested $2.1 million to expand food access across the county, with half a million dollars in funding given to address recent SNAP benefit losses. The Food Saver Challenge is a result of these investments.

Several businesses have already applied for the program so far, one of them being Deena Fink’s Anomalia Pizza of Fort Washington. According to Fink, sustainability is a priority for their restuarant and customers. Along with restaurants and grocers, any business that deals with food is encouraged to participate in the challenge.

For more information on the Food Saver Challenge and SBN’s other initiatives, visit their website here: Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia.

Photos – Suzanne McNaughton