The Office of Sustainability and NJIT Green partnered with Spring 2026 EcoHighlander Tara Magill to implement the Share Meals app across campus in order to reduce event food waste. At the end of many catered events on campus, you often see people frantically trying to give food away; if they are unsuccessful, plenty of perfectly good food is thrown in the trash.
With the Share Meals app, when an event starts winding down, the event organizers can post details about their leftovers (the quantity, dietary restrictions, location, time period of availability, etc). The app then sends an alert to those who have downloaded it and opted in, whether they be students, staff, or faculty, for them to pick up the food so now they get a nice free meal and food is saved from the landfill. Only registered NJIT community members are allowed onto the app. Learn more here.
Highlander H.O.U.S.E. and Food Pantry
NJIT's Highlander H.O.U.S.E. is home to our food pantry which serves the NJIT community. They are often looking for donations and even utilize the Share Meals app to promote their excess meals to those in need while the food items are still fresh. To learn how to access the pantry or to donate, visit their website.
NJIT's GDS is working to reduce food waste and food insecurity. You can read more about their sustainability initiatives on their website. One recent initiative they've implemented is the Reusable Container Program, which allows students to take meals to-go in reusable containers to prevent leftovers that would've otherwise been thrown away.