Epicurean Catering Donated Surplus Stadium Food
The Denver-based caterer recovered 500 pounds of food from suites at Empower Field at Mile High for a local non-profit.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Food and Drink
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Epicurean Catering recently donated over 500 pounds of surplus food from suites at Empower Field at Mile High to the organization We Don't Waste. The donation followed events at the stadium, including a game between the Denver Broncos and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Why it matters
This initiative helps address food insecurity in Denver by redirecting high-quality surplus meals from large-scale commercial operations to community members in need. The partnership aims to minimize waste generated by stadium event logistics.
The donation included items like burgers, hot dogs, and fries prepared for suite capacities ranging from 15 to 50 guests. Kitchen staff at the venue worked 60 hours in the week leading up to the game to manage the catering requirements.
The players
Epicurean Catering
This catering company manages food service operations for large-scale events and has worked to reduce waste in commercial kitchens.
We Don't Waste
This non-profit organization distributes food recovered from caterers and vendors to over 140 non-profit partners.
The details
Staff at the stadium cool, package, and store surplus food after suite events to ensure safety for redistribution. Epicurean Catering prepares food for the maximum suite capacity at every event to accommodate all guests, which often results in excess inventory.
Timeline
2012: The partnership between Epicurean Catering and We Don't Waste began.
Monday: We Don't Waste picked up the surplus food from the stadium.
Industry Dynamics
This recovery effort highlights a growing movement among major event venues to formalize food donation programs as part of their sustainability mandates. It marks a shift from historical disposal practices toward integrated circular logistics between large stadiums and local non-profits.
Thousands of Coloradans will receive these donated meals through the non-profit's network of 140 partners. Residents can support these efforts by donating to or volunteering with local organizations that facilitate food recovery.
The takeaway
Large-scale events offer significant opportunities to recover high-quality meals that would otherwise go to waste. Consumers can look for stadium and event operators that prioritize food rescue to support community-wide waste reduction goals.
Further reading
For more information on regional food initiatives, visit the Denver Food and Drink section.
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Should local sports stadiums be required to donate all surplus event food to community charities?
