S1, E82: Wasteless Solutions - Dana & Laila
In the heart of Salt Lake City, a revolution is quietly taking place – one rescued meal at a time. Wasteless Solutions, founded by Dana Williamson in 2017, has transformed from a weekend passion project into a powerful force addressing two critical issues simultaneously: food waste and food insecurity.
The statistics are staggering: 600,000 tons of food wasted annually in Utah alone, while thousands of residents struggle with food insecurity. What makes this reality particularly frustrating is that these two problems could be each other's solution. This is where Wasteless Solutions steps in, functioning as what founder Dana elegantly describes as a "switchboard of excess and scarcity," connecting surplus food with those who need it most.
What began with Dana filling her personal vehicle with food from Westminster College's cafeteria before Christmas break has expanded to an operation that has rescued over 2.6 million pounds of food to date. The organization now counts more than 800 volunteers who use a simple app to coordinate food rescues throughout the Salt Lake Valley. These volunteers pick up surplus food from donors like Whole Foods, the Delta Center, and the Salt Palace, then deliver it directly to agencies serving those in need – all in their personal vehicles.
The beauty of Wasteless Solutions lies in its simplicity and its emphasis on dignity. Rather than merely delivering whatever food is available, they prioritize giving recipients choice in what they receive. As Laila Hakkarinen, their Community Engagement Manager, explains, "Giving people the opportunity to feel dignity when they're accessing these resources" remains central to their approach. This philosophy transforms the experience from one of charity to one of community care and mutual aid.
Perhaps most impactful is the organization's focus on prepared meals. Dana points out that many food-insecure individuals are actually housed but struggling financially. When these families receive prepared meals, they gain not just nutrition but also precious time – time they no longer need to spend cooking can instead be dedicated to helping children with homework or addressing other pressing needs. This holistic understanding of food insecurity's ripple effects demonstrates the thoughtfulness behind Wasteless Solutions' approach.
Looking toward the future, the organization aims to expand its mobile market concept, bringing rescued food directly to underserved areas and food deserts. With their newly acquired second van – affectionately named after the first van, Alice – they hope to reach communities throughout the Salt Lake Valley, particularly focusing on areas where food donors, volunteers, and recipients can all exist within the same neighborhood, creating self-sustaining micro-systems of food rescue.
Beyond the immediate impact of feeding people, Wasteless Solutions is tackling the environmental consequences of food waste. When food decomposes in landfills, it produces methane gas – a greenhouse gas far more potent than carbon dioxide. By diverting food from landfills, they're significantly reducing these harmful emissions while conserving the water and resources that went into producing that food in the first place.
For those inspired to take action in their own lives, Dana offers simple advice: shop from your fridge and pantry first. Before heading to the grocery store, check what needs to be used up and plan meals around those ingredients. This small habit can dramatically reduce household food waste, which accounts for an astonishing 37% of all food waste.
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