US Foods Holding Corp. (NYSE: USFD), one of the largest foodservice distributors in the United States, has announced a significant increase in its strategic investment to support the company’s “Helping Communities Make It” initiative. Over the past two years, the investment has grown more than fivefold, underscoring the company’s commitment to addressing the pressing issues of food insecurity, educational challenges, job training difficulties, and the long-term effects of natural disasters. This expanded funding will allow US Foods to enhance and launch new programs across its three key community giving pillars: hunger relief, culinary education, and disaster relief. US Foods associates will continue to play an essential role in supporting these efforts through year-round volunteer events.
“We are proud to support the continued expansion of our ‘Helping Communities Make It’ programming aimed at harnessing the power of food to empower communities in need with nourishment and opportunity,” said Dave Flitman, CEO of US Foods. “As our roster of innovative community partnerships and initiatives continues to grow, we know we can make a meaningful difference in the communities we serve. We are honored to expand these important efforts and look forward to an impactful year of engaging community work.”
Now, US Foods has committed nearly $4 million in support of its “Helping Communities Make It” initiative, which is centered around its three strategic community giving pillars: hunger relief, culinary education, and disaster relief.
Hunger Relief: Addressing Food Insecurity in Communities
Eliminating hunger is at the heart of US Foods’ mission, and the company is enhancing its efforts in this area. A new addition to the company’s list of partners for 2025 is Rethink Food, a nonprofit organization focused on bridging the gap between restaurants with excess food and communities struggling with food insecurity. Rethink Food works by collaborating with local restaurants to purchase surplus ingredients, turning them into nutritious meals. These meals are then distributed to food-insecure communities. Since its founding in 2017, Rethink Food has directed over $138 million toward the purchase of meals from local restaurants, converting more than 2.7 million pounds of food into meals, and distributing over 30 million meals to communities in need in New York and Miami. US Foods will serve as the exclusive flagship sponsor to bring Rethink Food’s innovative meal program to the Chicago area, the home of US Foods’ headquarters.
Additionally, US Foods is expanding its long-standing partnership with the Military Family Advisory Network (MFAN), a nonprofit that addresses the unique challenges faced by military families, particularly their vulnerability to food insecurity. The company will enhance support for MFAN’s Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Pantry Restock Box and Fresh Funds programs, which provide military families with grocery assistance and financial resources during moves between military bases. These programs are critical during transitional periods when military families are most susceptible to food insecurity. The new funding will help expand these initiatives to support more than 2,600 military families stationed at Fort Cavazos and Fort Bliss in 2025.
Amid rising food costs, which have left over 47 million people, including nearly 14 million children, facing hunger, US Foods will continue its collaboration with Feeding America, a long-time partner. This year, the company will provide direct support for MealConnect®, a Feeding America program that connects donors, food banks, and local nonprofits to distribute ready-to-donate food. Since its inception in 2015, MealConnect® has rescued over 7 billion pounds of food, helping to reduce waste and support food-insecure communities across the country.
Culinary Education: Empowering the Next Generation of Chefs
The culinary industry is in need of a skilled workforce, and US Foods is stepping up to help meet that demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be more than 24,000 job openings for chefs and head cooks annually from 2023 to 2033, a number that far exceeds the average for all occupations. To help nurture this future workforce, US Foods will continue its signature scholarship program, US Foods Scholars. Since its launch in 2017, the company has awarded over $2 million in scholarships to nearly 100 students pursuing degrees in culinary arts, baking and pastry, chef training, and hospitality management. In 2025, US Foods plans to award 18 new scholarships, totaling $360,000, to students entering these fields.
Disaster Relief: Providing Support in Times of Crisis
US Foods recognizes the importance of enabling communities to recover more quickly from disasters. In 2025, the company is launching the You Matter Fund, a new initiative aimed at providing emergency assistance to US Foods associates facing financial hardship due to unexpected crises. This fund will provide individual grants to help associates recover faster from significant financial burdens caused by emergencies.
In addition, US Foods will continue its partnership with the American Red Cross as a Disaster Responder Program member. The company’s contributions will support efforts to mobilize resources before disasters strike and provide relief to affected communities throughout the year. In 2024, the United States experienced 24 billion-dollar disasters that impacted tens of thousands of people, making disaster relief efforts more critical than ever.
Associate Engagement: Encouraging Involvement in Community Service
As part of its commitment to community engagement, US Foods is launching its first-ever “Dollars for Doers” program. This initiative rewards associates for their volunteer efforts by providing charitable funds that they can donate to a charity of their choice. This program is designed to further engage associates in volunteer activities, making it easier for them to contribute to the causes they care about.
The company will also continue its popular company-wide giving events: Spring into Service, Hunger Action Month, and the “Giving Gratitude” holiday drive. These events allow US Foods associates to volunteer their time and resources to support community initiatives, helping to amplify the company’s impact in the regions where it operates.
A Year of Expansion and Impact
Through the expanded support for its “Helping Communities Make It” program, US Foods is positioning itself to have a lasting and meaningful impact on the communities it serves. By addressing critical issues such as food insecurity, educational opportunities, and disaster recovery, the company is demonstrating its commitment to using its resources and expertise to improve lives and strengthen communities across the United States. With a growing list of strategic partnerships and an enthusiastic, engaged workforce, US Foods is poised to make a tangible difference in the year ahead, continuing to leverage the power of food to empower and uplift communities in need.
