---
title: "Food Rescue as a Practical Climate Solution: How Rescuing Food Cuts Methane and Fights Hunger"
description: Brightly’s food rescue model tackles food waste, reduces methane emissions and supports communities—delivering tangible climate and social impact
author: Dr Marina Nani (Editor-in-Chief)
date: 2025-09-11T13:22:40.000Z
updated: 2026-02-26T22:05:35.736Z
canonical: https://richwoman.co/article/food-rescue-as-a-practical-climate-solution-how-rescuing-food-cuts-methane-and-fights-hunger
image: https://cdn.nanimediahouse.com/5tgspscidw.jpg
categories: Food
content_type: Analysis
region: United States
publication: Rich Woman Magazine
---

The loaf of bread that was destined for a rubbish bin gets rerouted to a food bank. A crate of apples past its sell-by date ends up feeding families instead of rotting in a landfill. These small redirections might seem insignificant, but they’re part of a climate solution that’s gaining serious scientific credibility – and it actually works.

When food waste breaks down in landfills, it produces methane, a greenhouse gas that’s 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide over 100 years and more than 80 times stronger over 20 years. Food waste makes up just 24% of what goes into American landfills, yet it’s responsible for 58% of the methane emissions coming out of them. That’s why every rescued loaf and saved apple matters for both feeding people and protecting the planet.

Food rescue company [Brightly](https://brightly.earth) just received recognition for this approach from BeZero Carbon, the leading independent carbon credit ratings agency. The company’s food rescue carbon credit project earned an Ae rating – placing it in the top 4% of waste-related carbon projects in the United States and the top 25% of all climate technology projects assessed globally.

## Why Methane Matters More Than You Think

The scale of the problem is staggering. In 2019, methane emissions from landfilled food waste totalled 49 million metric tons, equivalent to 1.37 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide. That’s roughly the same as the annual emissions from 300 million cars.

Food rots faster than other waste, creating methane rapidly as it decomposes without oxygen. [According to the EPA](https://www.epa.gov/land-research/quantifying-methane-emissions-landfilled-food-waste), nearly 40% of the US food supply goes to waste annually, and this wasted food in landfills produces disproportionately high methane emissions compared to other waste.

BeZero Carbon’s Ae rating for Brightly represents a stamp of confidence that this method for reducing emissions holds up when scrutinised. The independent ratings agency evaluates projects based on their likelihood to deliver real, additional and permanent emission reductions – not just good intentions.

Brightly works with over 225 food recovery partners across the US, generating carbon credits from the methane emissions avoided when food gets redirected from landfills to people who need it. The company uses specific technology to measure these avoided emissions, then channels carbon finance to nonprofit food recovery organisations to help them expand their services.

The BeZero Carbon rating recognised several key strengths in Brightly’s approach. The project received AAA for permanence risk, meaning there’s no technical risk that the avoided emissions would be released later once food is redirected from landfill. It earned AA for additionality risk, reflecting the essential role of carbon finance in scaling food rescue operations, and AA for project execution risk, based on the solid technical platform and experienced team.

‘When I launched Brightly just over two years ago, many believed food rescue could never deliver high-integrity carbon credits,’ said Andy Levitt, founder and CEO of Brightly. ‘This A rating from BeZero Carbon proves what we’ve always believed: food rescue is a powerful climate solution that creates measurable, permanent methane reductions while also fighting hunger.’

## Facing Reality: Funding Cuts Hit Food Banks Hard

The timing of this recognition couldn’t be more critical. [Federal funding cuts in 2024-2025](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-cuts-hit-struggling-food-banks-risking-hunger-low-income-americans-2025-03-25/) have severely impacted food banks and hunger relief efforts across the country. The USDA cut or froze over $1 billion in funding, including $500 million from the Emergency Food Assistance Program and the complete cancellation of the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program.

These cuts have forced food banks to reduce services at a time when 47.4 million people faced food insecurity in 2023. Some food banks are losing up to 15% of their yearly budgets, meaning fewer trucks running, fewer fridges stocked and less food reaching families who need it.

Carbon credit funding offers an alternative revenue stream that keeps these essential operations running. [Feeding America’s network](https://www.feedingamerica.org) rescues around 4 billion pounds of food annually through over 200 food banks, but many are struggling to maintain their services without reliable government support. This challenge mirrors the broader issues facing [community-led support systems](https://richwoman.co/article/community-led-housing-solutions-spark-new-wave-of-homelessness-support) that address basic needs.

## Companies Step Up

Companies are starting to recognise food rescue carbon credits as a way to support both climate goals and community impact. Schreiber Foods, an early supporter of Brightly’s approach, sees the A rating as confirmation of their investment.

‘Schreiber Foods has been an early believer in the power of carbon financing to support food recovery, and we’re thrilled to see Brightly’s project earn such a strong A rating from BeZero Carbon,’ said Emily King, sustainability specialist at Schreiber Foods. ‘This rating further confirms their approach to funding food rescue, and we’re proud to support their leadership in advancing both climate action and community impact.’

PopSockets, one of the first corporate buyers of Brightly’s food rescue carbon credits, emphasises the measurable impact these projects deliver. ‘This A rating from BeZero Carbon affirms that Brightly’s credits deliver credible, measurable impact – enabling food recovery organisations to rescue more food and prevent more methane from reaching the atmosphere,’ said Chris Poland, VP sourcing and sustainability at PopSockets.

The appeal for companies lies in the transparency: one tonne of CO2 equivalent avoided for every credit purchased, with clear measurement and verification of the impact.

## Can Food Rescue Scale Further?

The potential for expansion is significant. [ReFED reports](https://refed.org/food-waste/climate-and-resources/) that full implementation of food waste reduction solutions could mitigate 79 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent annually – equivalent to taking 18 million petrol cars off the road.

The clear targeting that Brightly offers – one tonne of CO2 equivalent avoided for every credit – lets donors, companies and individuals see exactly what their contribution achieves. This clarity matters in a space where greenwashing concerns are common, particularly as more people become aware of [sustainable food systems](https://richwoman.co/article/from-farm-to-table-women-leading-the-sustainable-food-movement) and their environmental impact.

For people wanting to support food rescue efforts without getting overwhelmed, practical options exist. [Food Rescue US](https://foodrescue.us/) offers a volunteer model where people use a web-based app to transfer fresh surplus food from local businesses to social service agencies. Traditional food banks always need volunteers for sorting, packing and distributing donations.

The message is becoming clear: waste doesn’t have to be waste. When food that would have rotted in a landfill instead feeds families, it solves two problems at once. As funding pressures mount and climate concerns grow, food rescue offers a practical solution that delivers measurable results for both people and the planet.

For more information about supporting food rescue efforts, visit [Brightly’s website](https://brightly.earth) or find local opportunities through [Feeding America’s volunteer network](https://www.feedingamerica.org/take-action/volunteer).