📊  Impact Measurement

Welcome to the Sharing Excess impact measurement guide! This page explains how we calculate and track the various metrics that demonstrate the real-world impact of our food rescue operations.

Understanding these calculations helps partners, volunteers, and stakeholders see the tangible benefits of preventing food waste and getting nutritious food to those who need it.

🍽️  Meals Made Possible

Meals Made Possible represents the number of meals that can be provided to people in need based on the food we rescue. We use this language carefully - while the food we recover isn’t always a complete meal on its own (especially working with large produce vendors), our partnerships with distribution organizations turn these donations into nourishing meals when combined with other resources.

How we calculate it:

• We use US Department of Agriculture data to estimate that 1.2 pounds of food equals one meal
• Formula: Total Weight (lbs) ÷ 1.2 = Meals Made Possible
• This conversion helps translate abstract weight measurements into meaningful human impact

Example: Rescuing 1,200 pounds of food = approximately 1,000 meals made possible in the community.

Why this matters: This metric helps everyone understand the direct human benefit of food rescue in terms that are easy to relate to and communicate.

💰  Retail Value

Retail Value represents the monetary value of rescued food at typical grocery store prices.

How we calculate it:

• We use ReFED's average price per pound for each food category
• Different food types have different retail values per pound:
  • Fresh Produce: $1.57/lb
  • Dairy Products: $1.28/lb
  • Bakery Items: $2.36/lb
  • Meat & Fish: $4.40/lb
  • Non-Perishable Items: $3.19/lb
  • Prepared & Frozen Foods: $5.89/lb
  • Mixed Items: $3.12/lb
  • Other: $2.31/lb

Example: 100 pounds of fresh produce = $157 in retail value.

Why this matters: Retail value shows the economic worth of food that would have been wasted, helping donors understand the value of their contributions.

🏷️  Fair Market Value

Fair Market Value represents the estimated wholesale or fair market price of rescued food, used primarily for tax deduction purposes.

How we calculate it:

• Based on 2018 US Census Bureau data on grocery gross margin percentages (27.4%)
• Formula: Retail Value × (1 - 0.274) = Fair Market Value
• This accounts for the typical markup between wholesale and retail prices

Current Fair Market Values per pound:

• Fresh Produce: $1.14/lb
• Dairy Products: $0.93/lb
• Bakery Items: $1.71/lb
• Meat & Fish: $3.19/lb
• Non-Perishable Items: $2.32/lb
• Prepared & Frozen Foods: $4.28/lb
• Mixed Items: $2.25/lb
• Other: $1.68/lb

Why this matters: Fair Market Value provides a conservative estimate for tax deduction purposes, ensuring compliance with IRS requirements for charitable food donations.

🗑️  Waste Cost Savings

Waste Cost Savings represents the money saved by diverting food from landfills instead of paying for waste disposal.

How we calculate it:

• Based on nationwide average of $0.05 per pound for waste management
• Formula: Total Weight (lbs) × $0.05 = Waste Cost Savings
• This includes landfill fees, transportation, and processing costs

Example: 1,000 pounds of rescued food = $50 in waste cost savings.

Why this matters: This metric shows the direct economic benefit to businesses and communities by reducing waste disposal costs.

🌱  GHG Emissions Reduced

GHG Emissions Reduced (Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduced) represents the environmental impact of preventing food from going to landfills.

How we calculate it:

• For every pound of food rescued, 3.66 pounds of carbon emissions are prevented from entering the atmosphere
• Formula: Total Weight (lbs) × 3.66 = GHG Emissions Reduced (lbs CO2)
• This accounts for methane production and other greenhouse gases from decomposing food in landfills

Example: 1,000 pounds of rescued food = 3,660 pounds of CO2 emissions prevented.

Why this matters: This metric quantifies the environmental benefit of food rescue, showing how preventing food waste directly reduces greenhouse gas emissions and fights climate change.

📊  Weight Tracking

Total Weight is the foundation for all other impact calculations.

What we track:

• Total Weight - All food moved in a rescue operation
• Donated Weight - Food that goes to people in need (excludes compost)
• Composted Weight - Food that goes to composting facilities
• Weight by Category - Breakdown by food type for accurate value calculations

Why this matters: Weight is the most accurate and objective way to measure food rescue impact, providing the foundation for all other metrics.

🏷️  Food Categories

We organize all rescued food into specific categories to ensure accurate impact calculations and proper handling.

Our food categories:

• Fresh Produce - Fruits, vegetables, herbs
• Dairy Products - Milk, cheese, yogurt, butter
• Bakery Items - Bread, pastries, baked goods
• Meat & Fish - All proteins, fresh or frozen
• Non-Perishable Items - Canned goods, pasta, rice, shelf-stable foods
• Prepared & Frozen Foods - Ready-to-eat meals, frozen entrees
• Mixed Items - Prepared foods with multiple ingredients
• Other - Anything that doesn't fit the above categories

Why this matters: Different food types have different values, nutritional content, and handling requirements. Categorization ensures accurate impact calculations and proper food safety protocols.

🔄  Special Cases

Compost Transfers

Food that goes to composting facilities counts toward:

• ✅ Total Weight
• ✅ GHG Emissions Reduced
• ✅ Waste Cost Savings
• ❌ Meals Made Possible
• ❌ Retail Value
• ❌ Fair Market Value

Holding Transfers

Food in holding facilities (temporary storage) doesn't count toward any impact metrics until it's distributed to final recipients.

📈  Data Sources & Methodology

Our impact calculations are based on established research and industry standards:

• Meals per pound: US Department of Agriculture data
• Retail values: ReFED's 2019 conversion factors
• Fair Market Value: 2018 US Census Bureau gross margin data
• GHG emissions: EPA waste reduction factors
• Waste costs: National average disposal fees

We regularly review and update these calculations as new research becomes available to ensure our impact measurements remain accurate and current.

🎯  Why Impact Measurement Matters

Accurate impact measurement helps us:

• Demonstrate value to donors and partners
• Track progress toward our mission goals
• Make data-driven decisions about operations
• Communicate impact to stakeholders and the public
• Ensure transparency in our reporting
• Comply with regulations for tax deductions and reporting

Every pound of food rescued, every meal made possible, and every dollar of value preserved represents real impact in fighting food waste and food insecurity in our communities.