Food For Free has been fighting hunger in the Greater Boston area since 1981. The company rescues fresh food from wholesale distributors, grocery stores, farms, bakeries and universities that would have otherwise been wasted. The organization collects fruit, vegetables, bread, baked goods, dairy products, prepared foods and frozen meats that feed more than 30,000 people. Food For Free is partnered with 110 food programs in the area, and within a year’s span has distributed 2 million pounds of food and diverted 1.8 million from landfills. The company offers many opportunities for the community to volunteer and donate to its cause.

To learn more, visit FoodForFree.org.

Bootstrap Compost is a year-round commercial and residential composting and food scrap pickup company. The organization diverts thousands of pounds of food waste from landfills weekly. Residential subscribers receive a five-gallon bucket to fill with coffee grounds, egg shells, tea bags, fruit and vegetables. The Bootstrap team picks up weekly or biweekly, drops off a clean bucket and delivers five pounds of soil amendment every four months. The company has many commercial clients as well, including Lush, WeSpire, 3 Little Figs, Amsterdam Falafel, Roost Books + Shambhala Publications and more.

To learn more, visit BootstrapCompost.com.

Lovin’ Spoonfuls is a Boston food rescue nonprofit that picks up fresh food that would have otherwise been wasted from grocery stores, produce wholesalers, farms and farmers markets. Since 2010, the organization has distributed more than 4.2 million pounds of food, which has gone on to feed more than 500,000 people. Founder and Executive Director Ashley Stanley has been named an Emerging Leader and Top 40 Under 40 by Boston Business Journal and serves on the Boston Food Policy Council. She is also a member of TEDWomen and is a TEDx community speaker.

To learn more, visit LovinSpoonfulsInc.org.