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CAC undertook
an exciting adventure in 2003 - composting food waste
produced during operations in food warehouses at CAC, Second Harvest
Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin, and several local food pantries and meal
sites.
Food recovery systems—because they, in large
part, rescue food that is already at the end of its shelf life—produce
some food waste in even the most efficient delivery systems. CAC’s
Wisconsin Harvest Program is no exception. However, beginning in the
summer of 2003, the Feeding People Not Landfills (FPNL) Project will
divert a significant portion of food waste from Dane County landfills by
collecting remaining food scraps and inedible food (all of which is
normally thrown away) from CAC and our partners, and convert it into
compost using an Earth Tub in-vessel composting system manufactured by
Green Mountain Technologies. CAC’s Community Gardens Division will use
the fertile, organic matter produced through the project to enrich the
soils of CAC-maintained community gardens that promote food security.
There are 14 in the city of Madison.
Food banks and food recovery programs are
working together to redirect as much food as possible in order for it to
be used to reduce hunger. The FPNL Project will demonstrate a viable
alternative to disposing of food that cannot be eaten. Unlike
landfilling, composting returns food waste to a useful form in a
time-efficient process. This project will create a valuable product for
community gardeners. Compost improves soil structure, texture, aeration
and water retention—characteristics that help keep plants healthy and
productive. CAC is excited about adding this to our programs. |
