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Reducing Waste Diverted to Landfill at UC Irvine with Chefs to End Hunger

Chefs to End Hunger plays a key role in advancing sustainability efforts, aligning waste reduction with meaningful community impact. By diverting surplus food from landfills and redirecting it to individuals and families in need, the program extends the value of every meal beyond the plate.

At Irvine, these efforts come to life through a strong commitment to reducing waste while supporting the surrounding community.


Chefs to End Hunger has become a powerful extension of our efforts to advance UCI Health sustainability goals. While the team remains focused on reducing waste and diverting food from landfills, it is especially meaningful to know that surplus food is being redirected to help nourish individuals and families in need.

The program is simple to implement, easy to manage, and delivers significant community impact with minimal operational burden — a true testament to the leadership and dedication of the UCI Health Culinary Team.


We are fortunate to work in a hospital that embraces innovation and is never afraid to try new things. Relay technology has improved communication with our team, improved timeliness of tray delivery, and increased awareness of asset (cart) locations. Relay has had a positive effect on our patient satisfaction, nursing engagement and associate retention by streamlining overall communication and providing data to improve processes.” - Sarah Meeks, Director of Food and Nutrition, Morrison Healthcare, WakeMed’s Food & Nutrition Services partner


Morrison Healthcare, a Compass Healthcare company, is a leading provider of healthcare food and nutrition services, serving more than 1,000 hospitals nationwide. For more than 70 years, Morrison has partnered with some of the nation’s largest health systems and now serves more than 600 million meals annually. We believe in the power of food to nourish both people and the planet. Through culinary innovation, collaboration, and strong partnerships, we are committed to creating healthier, more sustainable dining programs. Our sustainability commitments include reducing carbon impact, minimizing waste, increasing plant-forward offerings, and purchasing local and sustainably raised foods. We are a proud member of Practice Greenhealth.

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As your strategic partner, we embrace creative and innovative opportunities to support your goals and help you reduce the cost of care. Having a partner that can balance resources with unmatched purchasing power will accelerate your organization’s transformational journey.

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