Students lead UNM effort to recover food, reduce waste and support basic needs

At The University of New Mexico, students are leading a growing effort to recover surplus food, support their peers and reduce waste, all at the same time. Food waste is one of the largest contributors to landfill emissions in the United States, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

At UNM, students are addressing that challenge by redirecting edible food away from the trash and into the hands of people who need it, helping meet basic needs while advancing the university's sustainability goals to reduce waste and emissions.

This spring, partnerships between campus dining locations, student volunteers and campus organizations significantly expanded UNM's retail food recovery efforts. The result is a program that diverts waste and strengthens a culture of care and resource sharing across campus, an approach aligned with UNM 2040 goals and the 2025 UNM Sustainability Strategic Plan.

Recent data from March and April highlights the scale of the effort:

• 698 pounds of food recovered
• 2,450 food items redistributed
• 105 food pickups completed
• 581 meals provided

Behind those numbers are students and faculty mentors coordinating pickups, organizing logistics and ensuring food reaches the Lobo Food Pantry in the Student Union Building. The UNM Food Recovery Network chapter, supported by a Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education grant, is central to the initiative, turning what would be waste into a source of support for students.

"Through this effort, students are building systems that not only reduce waste but also ensure their peers have increased access to food. It's sustainability in action, grounded in community care," said Jessica Rowland, associate director of the Sustainability Studies Program and faculty adviser for the UNM Food Recovery Network.

Campus dining partners have also contributed to the program's growth. While Mercado and Chick-fil-A helped build early momentum, Einstein Bros. Bagels became a major contributor in April through regular bagel donations, which now make up a significant share of recovered food.

"We see food recovery as an important tool in addressing food insecurity on campus," said Amanda Gerard, director of Dining and Hospitality. "Our goal is to make sure excess food doesn't go to waste when it can instead support students who need it."

Technology has also helped expand the initiative. UNM Food recently released an updated version of LoboEats, an app that allows UNM departments and organizations to post available leftover food from meetings and events, connecting it directly with students, faculty and staff in real time. The platform helps reduce unnecessary waste while improving access to available food resources.

For student volunteers, the impact is both practical and personal.

"It feels good knowing that something that might have been thrown away is actually helping someone get through their day," said a student volunteer with the Food Recovery Network. "You're not just talking about sustainability, you're actually doing it, and you can see the difference."

"Through the UNM Food Loss & Waste initiative, we've diverted close to 700 pounds of food from the trash, redirecting it to the campus food pantry to support students in need," said sustainability student Kingsley Nelson. "This effort directly addresses student food insecurity while significantly reducing our community's overall food waste, creating a more sustainable and supportive campus environment."

As the initiative continues to grow, organizers are encouraging more students and campus partners to get involved. With increased participation, the program has the potential to become a long-term system that supports student well-being while reducing environmental impact.

Students interested in volunteering or partnering through a student organization can connect with the UNM chapter of the Food Recovery Network or contact faculty adviser Jessica Rowland at [email protected] for more information about upcoming opportunities.