Miami Beach Launches Food Waste Diversion Pilot

The 120-day voluntary program connects food businesses with local food recovery organizations.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Vegetarian

Gouache-painted editorial illustration of a wicker basket of ripe oranges, tomatoes, and greens in a warm cream field, suggesting surplus food finding a new purpose. — Miami Beach launched a 120-day voluntary pilot program on Tuesday connecting more than 700 food retail businesses with four local food recovery organizations to redistribute surplus food. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should local restaurants and grocery stores donate surplus food to families in need?

Miami Beach has launched a voluntary food waste diversion educational program as a 120-day pilot. Program materials are being distributed to more than 700 food retail businesses in the city.

Why it matters

The program aims to reduce food insecurity by linking businesses with organizations that can redistribute surplus food. Donating surplus food also keeps food waste out of landfills.

The pilot runs for 120 days and targets primarily food retailers of 25,000 square feet or more, though any food business may participate at no cost. Materials are reaching more than 700 food retail businesses, and the city has not yet reported participation outcomes.

The players

Food Rescue US

A national food recovery organization that collects surplus food from businesses and redistributes it to people in need.

Feeding South Florida

A regional hunger-relief organization serving South Florida that distributes donated food to food-insecure residents.

The details

Participating businesses can connect directly with whichever of four listed organizations best fits their operations: Food Rescue US, Farm Share, Nourish Miami and Feeding South Florida. Donors have no liability under the program, and participating businesses are asked to complete a short survey of their current experiences.

Now through January: Program outreach to food businesses is underway.
120-day pilot period: The voluntary food waste diversion program runs.

Culture Shift

The pilot reflects a growing municipal focus on redirecting edible surplus from landfills to food-insecure residents in South Florida's food recovery network. It places a local voluntary model within the regional food donation ecosystem already served by Feeding South Florida and Farm Share.

Food retailers in Miami Beach can join the pilot at no cost and choose a recovery partner that fits their operations. Residents may benefit as surplus food is redirected toward local hunger-relief efforts during the 120-day period.

The takeaway

Food businesses of any size can donate surplus food at no cost and without liability under the program. Reviewing your own surplus flow may help identify which recovery partner fits your operation best.