Local Food Donation

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Reducing Food Waste, Feeding Nashville

Vanderbilt Campus Dining is committed to both sustainability and supporting our neighbors in Middle Tennessee. Through our surplus food donation program, we partner with local non-profit organizations to ensure that excess food from our dining facilities reaches those in need—food that might otherwise go to waste.

Each week, leftover food from meal preparations is carefully assessed for donation. While the amount donated varies based on availability, our priority remains the same: redirecting surplus food to benefit the Nashville community rather than letting it go to waste.


Our Partner Organizations

Campus Dining collaborates with several non-profit organizations to distribute surplus food where it’s needed most.

Nashville Rescue Mission

The Hendrix Room, Vanderbilt Athletics’ training table facility, donates every two weeks to the Nashville Rescue Mission, providing an average of 15 four-inch pans filled with nutritious food.

Room in the Inn

Each Thursday, Rand Dining Center donates 50-70 meals’ worth of food to Room in the Inn, a program that supports individuals experiencing homelessness. This donation equates to approximately 20 pounds of proteins, starches, and vegetables per week.

Operation Stand Down Tennessee

The Kitchen at Kissam donates surplus food to Operation Stand Down Tennessee (OSDTN) each Monday morning. Contributions include prepared meals such as casseroles or chickpea cakes, supporting OSDTN’s mission to assist veterans and their families.

The Cookery

Campus Dining recently began a partnership with The Cookery, a Nashville-based non-profit dedicated to culinary training and meal service for those in need. The Commons Dining Hall has taken the lead in preparing donations, and we look forward to expanding our support for this organization.

Additional Partnerships

Campus Dining also works with the following local non-profits on a periodic basis to provide food donations:


Commitment to Sustainability & Community

Vanderbilt Campus Dining’s surplus food donation program is about more than just providing meals—it reflects a deep commitment to sustainability by reducing food waste across campus operations. At the same time, it strengthens our connection to the broader Nashville community, supporting organizations that work tirelessly to address food insecurity.

By continuing to donate, repurpose, and reduce waste, Campus Dining upholds Vanderbilt University’s mission of being a force for positive change in Middle Tennessee.

For more information about our food donation efforts or to explore potential partnerships, please contact Campus Dining.