Rescuing produce and feeding communities
Mariposa Produce Rescue is a nonprofit based in Nogales, Arizona. We are a produce recovery organization that helps keep perfectly good produce out of the landfill and gets it to people in the communities we serve.
Our Mission
Mariposa Produce Rescue works to reduce food waste and strengthen food access in Arizona by rescuing surplus produce and redistributing it through community events, upcycling, and partnerships with ranchers and composting networks.
Our goal is simple: feed people first, redirect what cannot be used for food, and eliminate produce waste.
What We Do
Rescue Produce
We work with produce distributors and rescue partners to rescue surplus produce before it is discarded to the landfill where it generates harmful methane gas.
Feed Communities
Community organizations partner with us to host produce distribution events. This includes weekly Pop-Up distributions, rural routes, and local food access networks.
Redirect Perished Produce
Produce that cannot be distributed as food can still be useful. We work to move perished produce to ranchers, composters, rural hubs, and other non-landfill pathways.
Why Nogales?
Nogales is one of the most important produce corridors in North America. Over 60% of winter produce consumed in North America comes from Mexico through Nogales for resale. The produce is staged at over 200 produce distributors local to Nogales, Arizona.
When this produce is unable to be sold because of cosmetic issues, supply-demand mismatches in the markets, or simply just being too ripe, it has traditionally been sent to the landfill. Currently 15,000 tons of this very same produce is being sent to the Rio Rico landfill annually. Mariposa Produce Rescue aims to create a system which will completely eliminate produce waste in Nogales, directly at the heart of North America’s produce industry.
This model will establish a new standard for how produce hubs across the country can eliminate food waste.
Nogales Feeds North America
Our Programs
Produce Pop-Ups
Seasonal community events that move large amounts of edible produce directly to families and community members.
Partner Distribution
Produce recovery through food-serving organizations, small nonprofits, rural partners, and rescue networks.
Perished Produce Pathways
Structured outlets for ranchers, composting partners, rural hubs, and other diversion pathways.
Data and Coordination
Tracking produce from intake to final use to strengthen routes, partnerships, and long-term recovery systems.
Stakeholder Engagement
Working with produce distributors, local governments, and for-profit organizations to systematically address produce waste.
Partner With Us
Mariposa Produce Rescue is currently building relationships with distributors, community organizations, ranchers, composters, rural partners, funders, and volunteers. If you are interested in working with us, receiving produce, supporting the launch, or learning more, we would love to connect.
Email: [email protected]
Location: Nogales, Arizona