Bagel Rescue Nonprofit Saves 2 Millionth Bagel, Fights Food Waste

According to recent data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Americans discard a staggering 30 to 40% of their food annually, with a significant portion of it ending up in landfills. This wastage includes perfectly good bagels that are often tossed away without a second thought.
Emerald City Bagels co-owner Jackie Halcrow
expressed her frustration with seeing their leftover bagels being wasted, stating that they often end up in the dumpster. Halcrow, who co-founded Emerald City Bagels a decade ago, is well-versed in the intricate process that goes into making the perfect bagel. She emphasized that crafting a bagel is truly an art, with each one going through a meticulous 24-hour fermentation process from dough to the final product. Initially starting by selling to friends, Emerald City Bagels has now grown to operate two locations in metro Atlanta. Despite their success, the issue of food waste continued to weigh heavily on Halcrow's mind.
Bagel Rescue founder Erin Stieglitz
reached out to Halcrow with a solution to this problem. Stieglitz, who established the nonprofit during the pandemic, aims to rescue surplus bagels and provide them to frontline workers in need. Describing her journey, Stieglitz mentioned that she never anticipated being in this position but is proud to have salvaged over two million bagels with the help of 50 businesses across Atlanta. The rescued bagels are distributed to various organizations such as shelters, food pantries, and the Salvation Army. Volunteers like Tanya Peel play a critical role in sorting and delivering these bagels to individuals who truly appreciate them. Peel highlighted the heartwarming reactions they receive when making their deliveries, underscoring the impact of their efforts. Looking ahead, Stieglitz is hopeful that the concept of bagel rescue can be implemented in other cities to combat food waste and support those in need. Halcrow echoed a similar sentiment, emphasizing the joy that comes from knowing their handcrafted bagels are bringing happiness to others. The collaborative efforts of Emerald City Bagels and Bagel Rescue serve as a heartening example of how simple actions can make a significant difference in reducing food waste and providing for communities in distress.