Food waste reduction pilot projects could get a boost through state grants under a plan proposed by Democratic lawmakers.
Senate Assistant Minority Leader Jeff Smith, D- Brunswick, and State Rep. Francesca Hong, D- Madison, are looking for co-sponsors on a bill that would give $200,000 over the next two years to organizations that are preventing food waste, redirecting surplus food to hunger relief organizations or composting food waste.
Hong said possible recipients could be community compost programs, farmers who are starting regenerative agriculture practices, and eligible food pantries.
"This is not only comprehensive but a common sense way for both residential and commercial businesses to invest in food waste reduction and to redirect excess food to those who need it," Hong said.
According to data from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, about 854,000 tons of food were thrown away in Wisconsin in 2020, the majority of it still edible.
Social and environmental impacts could make a big difference
Michelle Orge is the president and CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Southern Wisconsin. One part of the nonprofit's work involves taking food from local retailers like grocery stores and distributing it to food banks before it's thrown out.
"We believe that hunger makes everything harder, that lives can be changed with food, and there is enough food for everyone," Orge said.
The EPA estimated the U.S. generates enough wasted food to feed the country’s food-insecure population four times over. Second Harvest redirects about 14 tons of food every day in the 16 counties it serves.
Wasted food that ends up in landfills emits methane, which is 25 times as potent as carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere.
"Food waste has been contributing to the increase of greenhouse gases and one of the best ways we can combat some of our climate catastrophes is preventative measures," Hong said.
Source: wpr.org
Photo Credit: gettyimages-fatcamera
Categories: Wisconsin, Business