Forgotten Harvest

Mission Statement 
We are dedicated to relieving hunger in metro Detroit and preventing nutritious food waste. 

Our Founder 
Founded in 1990 by Dr. Nancy Fishman who rescued and distributed food from the back of her Jeep to feed the hungry. 

The Need 
It’s estimated that over 555,000 people (or 14.4% of the total population) across the tri-county area struggled to consistently secure enough food in 2022. In the City of Detroit, nearly 50% of children under age 18 and nearly 20% of seniors age 65+ live in poverty and may not know where their next meal will come from. 

Millions of Pounds Rescued 
Forgotten Harvest has rescued millions of pounds of food from nearly 560 food donor locations annually. The food is donated free of charge by farms, manufacturers, dairies, food distributors, grocers, and entertainment venues and it is distributed free of charge to those in need of food. We rescued over 40 million pounds of surplus food last year alone. 

Forgotten Harvest Rescue Fleet 
On the road six days a week, our fleet of 50 trucks and semi-trailers distributes food to emergency food providers throughout the 2,000 square mile tri-county area of Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne Counties. 

Food Distribution Partners 
We serve as a lifeline of support to over 220 emergency food providers: food pantries, shelters, soup kitchens, and faith-based organizations. 

Volunteers
Last year (FY2022-2023), 25,491 individuals contributed 83,998 hours of volunteer service to Forgotten Harvest. Volunteers are a crucial sector of the workforce that make our mission possible as they help daily at our warehouse, mobile pantry sites, and Forgotten Harvest Farms to prepare, distribute, and harvest food for our neighbors in need. 

Forgotten Harvest Farms 
Forgotten Harvest Farms is situated on 95 acres of donated land in Fenton with an annual yield of 502,153 lbs. of fresh, healthy produce. The passionate staff and volunteers at the farm grow and harvest crops such as potatoes, sweet corn, green beans, cabbage, collard greens, zucchini, watermelon, carrots, chili peppers, and mustard greens. The farm allows Forgotten Harvest to ensure that metro Detroit families will consistently benefit from fresh, healthy foods that are often unavailable or unaffordable to them. 

$1 Provides $7 Worth of Groceries 
Forgotten Harvest is one of America’s most efficient food rescue organizations. Every $1 provides $7 worth of food or about 4 meals for those in need.