ABOUT US

Why we do what we do.

We can all agree that food should not end up in the landfill. It is meant to nourish people in body, mind, and spirit. It brings us together.

It is shocking that over 35% of usable food ends up in American landfills, which is 1.3% of our country’s GDP ($380+ billion dollars). At least 15,000,000 pounds of edible food is thrown away each year in Sioux Falls alone. We must do better.

Bread Break “moves food” by transporting it from providing to receiving partners. This is win-win-win as we reduce the amount of food ending up in landfills, provide food to agencies that distribute food to people in need, and benefit businesses with robust tax incentives.

We’re excited about what we do and invite you to join us.

Where we came from.

In 2011, through the visionary leadership of Mike and Jean Bauman, Bread Break picked up their first food donation. For ten years, Bread Break remained a volunteer-led program. They raised awareness, raised funds, and created a legacy of food recovery in Sioux Falls.

In 2021, this group of devoted volunteers applied for and received 501(c)3 federal nonprofit status. They formed the first Bread Break board, and hired a part time program coordinator. This step forward laid the foundation for food recovery expansion.

Where we are now.

Bread Break’s 80+ dedicated volunteer drivers use our fleet of three vans or their own vehicles to pick up daily overages of prepared and fresh food donated by our 50+ providing partners. They deliver this perfectly good food to our 40+ receiving partners such as local food banks serving people in need. We work in cooperation with other organizations such as Feeding South Dakota and Midwest Food Bank.

As the need for food recovery continues to grow, Bread Break’s leadership developed a Strategic Plan in 2024 to set the stage for sustainable growth. In addition to a part-time program coordination, they added the role of a full-time executive director. This has provided more structure through operational streamlining, community advocacy, and partnership building.

Our strategic plan for sustainable growth.

Bread Break has taken a leap of faith to expand our efforts by recovering 500,000 pounds of usable food by the end of 2026. We have an ultimate goal of rescuing over one million pounds every year.

The Board of Directors guides our strategic process with the help of volunteers and staff. Every day, we connect with more potential partners through outreach and networking. We are expanding our fresh produce and event meal recovery efforts.

At Bread Break, we are leading the food waste reduction and food recovery strategies in the Sioux Falls area. In the years to come, we plan to take our model to other parts of South Dakota.