Which function best describes food recovery programs in the community food-assistance system?

• A. Serve as the exclusive provider of fresh produce to all households regardless of income or need by requisitioning government-owned farms.
• B. Provide long-term entitlement benefits identical to SNAP by issuing monthly debit cards to low-income families without state oversight.
• C. Collect surplus safe food from retailers, restaurants, and bakeries and redistribute it to people in need, reducing waste and supplying items often still fit for consumption.
• D. Operate as the primary federal reimbursement mechanism for school meal programs, issuing vouchers to restaurants to compensate for unsold food.

Answer: (C)