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Second Servings: Plate it Forward

by Brandi Herrington

Starkville Second Servings: Transforming Surplus into Sustenance
Starkville Strong's Second Servings is a community-focused initiative led by our team that aims to combat food insecurity in Starkville, MS, by repurposing surplus food from local restaurants, community events, and Greek life organizations. This program is expanding its reach and efficiency in collecting, storing, repurposing and distributing nutritious food to those in need, thereby reducing waste and hunger simultaneously.
Program Background
Starkville Strong's Second Servings program was created to address two pressing issues in the community: food insecurity and food waste. With local restaurants, events, MSU Concessions, and Greek life generating surplus food, much of it was going to waste while many families faced food shortages. Second Servings bridges this gap by collecting surplus food and safely redistributing it to local families in need. The program engages community volunteers and partners with local charities, such as J.L. King Center and Casserole Kitchen, to ensure the food reaches those who need it most.
Surplus Food Collection
Gathering excess food from restaurants, events, and campus organizations
Safe Storage & Packaging
Properly storing and preparing food for distribution
Community Distribution
Delivering meals to families and individuals facing food insecurity
Accomplishments So Far: Food Rescued and Distributed
Since its inception in April 2024, Second Servings has successfully rescued thousands of pounds of edible food that would have otherwise gone to waste, providing countless meals to food-insecure households. We have distributed over 40,000 meals to neighbors in need.
41,000+
Meals Distributed
Nutritious meals provided to food-insecure households since April 2024
101,000
Pounds of Food
Edible food rescued from being wasted and repurposed for those in need
Partnerships Established
The program has built strong relationships with more than 25 local entities, including restaurants, MSU Concessions and Dining, and Greek organizations, creating a reliable network for food collection.
Our Network of Partners
  • Local restaurants and cafes
  • Mississippi State University Concessions
  • MSU Dining Services
  • Greek life organizations
  • Community event organizers
  • Local businesses
These partnerships form the backbone of our food collection system, ensuring a steady supply of quality surplus food for redistribution.
Regular Distributions
Complete and nutritious meals are being distributed weekly and monthly to our Distribution Partners: Neighbors Helping Neighbors, Path to Prosperity, Casserole Kitchen, Boys and Girls Club, Pine Grove Baptist Church FUMC, Plair United Methodist Church, Community Counseling and J.L. King Center. We currently have other distribution sites preparing to come online.
1
Weekly Distributions
Regular food deliveries to partner organizations throughout Starkville
2
Monthly Events
Larger distribution through Neighbors Helping Neighbors program
3
Expanding Reach
New distribution sites being prepared to join our network
Volunteer Engagement
Over 200 community volunteers have been involved in food collection, packaging, and distribution efforts, strengthening community ties and raising awareness of the issue.
Volunteer Activities
  • Food collection from partner locations
  • Meal packaging and preparation
  • Distribution to families in need
  • Community outreach and education
  • Administrative support
Our volunteers come from all walks of life, including students, retirees, professionals, and families, all united by the desire to reduce waste and fight hunger in Starkville.
Raising Awareness
The program has increased awareness around food waste and food insecurity in Starkville, mobilizing the community to take action through outreach and education initiatives.
Educational Workshops
Hosting sessions on food waste reduction and the impact of food insecurity in our community
Community Outreach
Engaging with local organizations, schools, and businesses to spread awareness about our mission
Media Engagement
Sharing our story through local news outlets and social media to inspire community action
Data from April 2024 - Current
1,400
Meals per week average
41,968
Ready to eat meals distributed to neighbors in need
104,9200
Pounds of cooked food saved from being thrown away
Background
Like many communities, Starkville's food insecurity and waste occur concurrently, creating a paradox of need amidst abundance. Starkville Strong has identified a significant opportunity to bridge this gap by redirecting surplus food from potential waste to beneficial use.
The Paradox
In Starkville, we face two seemingly contradictory issues:
  • Significant amounts of edible food being discarded daily
  • Families and individuals struggling to access nutritious meals
Second Servings addresses this disconnect by creating an efficient system to redirect food from waste to those who need it most.
Description
Second Servings collaborates with local businesses, restaurants, events, MSU, EMCC, Greek Life and other organizations to collect surplus food, ensuring it is safely stored and promptly redistributed to individuals and families facing food insecurity.
Food rescue, also known as food recovery, is the practice of redirecting edible food that would otherwise go to waste from food businesses, such as retailers, produce distributors and large dining facilities, and distributing it.
Key Components of the Project
1
Food Collection
Partnerships with local restaurants, events, MSU Concessions, and Greek life, along with volunteers to collect leftover food.
2
Consumables Collection
Partner and collaborate with local restaurants, organizations, churches, and individuals from the community to crowdsource to-go plates, utensils, condiments, plastic bags, storage containers, etc.
3
Food Safety and Storage
Implement appropriate handling protocols and secure adequate storage facilities to maintain food quality.
4
Distribution Network
Utilize a network consisting of Starkville Strong volunteers, other service organizations, and community partners to distribute weekly and at Starkville Strong's Neighbors Helping Neighbors event once monthly.
5
Community Engagement
Raise awareness and encourage participation through community outreach and educational programs.
Objectives
Our Second Servings program has established clear objectives to guide our efforts and measure our success in addressing food waste and insecurity in Starkville.
Reducing Food Waste
To reduce food waste in Starkville by 50% within the first two years of operation.
50%
Waste Reduction Goal
Target decrease in food waste within first two years
100%
Commitment
Our dedication to transforming potential waste into nutritious meals
Increasing Food Access and Partnerships
To increase the amount of nutritious food available to food-insecure households by 30%.
To establish partnerships with at least 20 additional local entities that generate surplus food.
30%
Increased Food Access
Target increase in nutritious food available to food-insecure households
20+
New Partnerships
Goal for additional local entities to join our food rescue network
Continuing to Sustain our Program Through Funding
Non-Consumables
Storage, kitchen appliances, deep freezers, utensils, pots, pans, serving utensils
Consumables
Containers, to-go plates, gloves, electricity, pantry essentials (pasta, rice, vegetables, sauces, dressings) etc.
Food Collection & Transportation
Funding for vehicles, fuel, and logistics to collect and transport surplus food efficiently
Community Outreach
Education and awareness programs to engage more community members about our program
Current Food Partners and Distribution Partners
Current Food Partners
  • Chi Omega MSU
  • Chick-fil-a Starkville
  • First Baptist Church Daycare
  • Starkville Cafe
  • Umi
  • Zeta Tau Alpha MSU
  • MSU Concessions (onboarding soon)
  • Proof of Pudding (onboarding soon)
  • Dunkington
  • MSU Dining
Current Distribution Partners
  • Casserole Kitchen
  • J.L. King Center
  • Neighbors Helping Neighbors
  • Starkville Strong Clients
  • Boys and Girls Club
  • Community Counseling
  • First United Methodist Church
  • Plair United Methodist Church
  • Pine Grove Baptist Church
United States Legal Liabilities
The Federal Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act protects the donor and the recipient agency against liability, excepting only gross negligence and/or intentional misconduct. In addition, each state has passed Good Samaritan Laws that provide liability protection to good faith donors. Each of the Second Servings Initiatives we coordinate have established procedures to ensure that safe food handling and storage is built into their program.
Our program operates with strict adherence to food safety protocols, ensuring both donors and recipients are protected under federal and state Good Samaritan laws.
Want to get involved?
Join our team of dedicated volunteers helping with food collection, packaging, and distribution.
Donate to Second SErvings
Support our mission with financial contributions to help sustain and expand our operations for Second Servings.
Partner
Become a food donor or distribution partner to help us reach more people in need. Contact Shannon for more information.