2026 Food Rescue Workshop

The Quad Cities’ Food Rescue Partnership hosted its biennial Food Rescue Workshop on September 16th in Rock Island, IL.

The workshop provided an overview of food waste and food insecurity in the Quad Cities, highlighting key challenges and opportunities to address these issues. The keynote speaker from River Bend Food Bank also discussed the potential impact of upcoming SNAP benefit cuts and what they may mean for local families, food assistance programs, and the broader community moving forward. The ‘Food Rescue in Action Panel’ featured industry experts and local Quad Citizens who shared how restaurants and stores are reducing food waste and donating extra food to reduce costs and feed those in need. Attendees also learned about access to nourishing food from local non-profit leaders at Tapestry Farms and NEST Cafe on the ‘Community Panel’.

A returning feature to the Food Rescue Partnership event was the announcement of the Quad Cities Food Rescue Warrior and Member of the Year. Member of the Year recognized Tapestry Farms values to invest, grow and welcome all so that our community is abundantly fed. Last year, Tapestry Farms joined the extension offices, River Bend Food Bank, and the QC Community Foundation to launch GIFT Gardens, a program matching growers to food-relief sites. Quad Citizens nominated six local individuals to be the 2026 Food Rescue Warrior. At the workshop, the FRP Board Chair congratulated Christa Andersen from Davenport Community Schools for her vision to serve and feed those in need. Christa noticed how much food was being tossed and repurpose leftovers to help the community. Christa started collecting leftover food so Davenport schools can donate produce, milk, and more to a variety of local non-profit hunger relief agencies!

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