In November 2019, Pope Francis appealed to governments to commit to cutting food waste and loss in half by 2030, saying it was morally, economically, and environmentally unacceptable. Pope Francis said, “to throw away food means to throw people away” and that it is our moral obligation to ensure that everyone has enough food, which includes avoiding food loss and waste.
In 2021—a year of heightened international interest in WPE’s unique food recovery model—Eve Birge met with a group at the Vatican that was starting a food recovery program. Soon after, they successfully completed their first ‘rescue’ from a local fruit and vegetable market, which provided ample bounty for their soup kitchen, and enough to share with a nearby group serving the unhoused. Later, in 2023, Eve had the opportunity to visit and thank Pope Francis for his commitment to food recovery and social justice, among other things.
WPE’s model is designed to help close the gap between prosperity and need so that all can enjoy a life free of these divisions. We resonate with this sentiment expressed by Pope Francis: “How can it be that it is not a news item when an elderly homeless person dies of exposure, but it is news when the stock market loses two points? This is a case of exclusion. Can we continue to stand by when food is thrown away while people are starving? This is a case of inequality.”
WPE honors PEOPLE. We are not concerned about affiliations, faiths, parties, or tastes (although we encourage a well-balanced diet!) – All are welcome to participate in this important movement to connect surplus and need with the goal of eliminating hunger and uplifting lives.