When we talk about ending hunger, the conversation often revolves around one simple metric: calories. But at White Pony Express, we know that simply providing enough calories doesn’t solve the whole problem. Food rescue isn’t just about providing calories; it’s about recovering high-quality, nutrient-dense foods.
When perfectly good food is thrown away, the items most prone to waste are often the most perishable–and the most nutritious. Fresh fruits, crisp vegetables, and high-quality proteins are frequently discarded simply because of minor cosmetic blemishes or strict sell-by dates.
This creates a hidden crisis: nutrition insecurity. Lacking access to nutritious food is a powerful social determinant of health. Poor nutrition is a leading cause of illness, health care spending, and lost productivity in the US.
Our mission is to intercept abundance and redirect it to where it’s needed most. Every week, our dedicated volunteers rescue unsold, peak-season fruits and vegetables from wholesale produce distributors and six local farmers’ markets. This ensures that the absolute freshest, locally grown food bypasses the compost pile and goes straight into the hands of those who need it most.
In 2025, out of nearly 5 million pounds of incoming food, 56% is fresh, nutrient-dense produce. That is 2,803,587 pounds of vibrant greens, fresh fruits, and essential vegetables that were diverted from the landfill and delivered directly to the tables of families across Contra Costa County.
When you support White Pony Express, you are doing so much more than filling an empty plate; you are directly investing in the long-term health and vitality of your neighbors.
