Starbucks will start donating 100% of its unused food to those in need

If you’ve ever wondered where all those Starbucks bagels and bistro boxes go after closing time, here's an answer you can get behind.

Starbucks has pledged to donate 100% of its leftover food through a new program called FoodShare, the company announced in a release on Tuesday. Starbucks created the initiative in partnership with nonprofit organization Feeding America and food collection group Food Donation Connection, and it will allow the company to donate perishable, ready-to-eat meals from its 7,600 stores to food banks nationwide.

Here's how it will work: Food Donation Connection and Feeding America will pick up food each day from Starbucks company-operated locations in the U.S. via refrigerated vans. That perishable food, previously considered risky to donate due to its refrigeration needs, will then reach food banks and rescue agencies like those in the Feeding America network. The process, from food leaving the store to it reaching those who need it most, takes 24 hours or less.

"This food is going to make a difference, whether it’s a child not going hungry for the night or a family that’s able to enjoy a protein plate that they would not have otherwise been able to afford at Starbucks," Starbucks store manager Kienan McFadden said in the release. "Rescuing food ... from being thrown away will change lives."

This is an excerpt from an article posted on Mashable.com. For complete article, click here.