By Blake Jackson
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is awarding over $7.5 million to support innovative food waste reduction projects across the country. These projects aim to divert food scraps from landfills and minimize greenhouse gas emissions.
The initiative, called the Composting and Food Waste Reduction (CFWR) program, is funded through USDA's Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (OUAIP) and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The selected projects will be carried out between now and 2027.
“These Composting and Food Waste Reduction projects help communities reduce the harmful effects of food waste on the environment,” said Nathan Fikkert, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist in Wisconsin, “Local strategies and tools like these are important climate solutions and also contribute to food security at the community level.”
The USDA prioritized projects that offer economic benefits, provide compost access to farmers and community gardeners, incorporate food recovery efforts, and involve collaboration among multiple partners.
“Efforts to reduce food loss and waste are a vital component of USDA NIFA’s food safety and nutrition portfolio,” said USDA NIFA Director Dr. Manjit Misra. “The projects funded through this initiative will generate new opportunities at the local level for improved food security, economic growth and environmental prosperity.”
The program includes projects in 15 states and one territory, with two states participating for the first time.
Wisconsin's Sun Prairie Food RESCU Pilot
One noteworthy project is the Sun Prairie Food Residential, Event, and School Compost Undertaking (RESCU) Pilot in Wisconsin. This initiative will integrate composting services into six major city-wide events in Sun Prairie.
The project includes:
- Lunchtime composting programs
- Food sharing tables
- A food waste reduction competition
- Food waste-focused curriculum in select schools
- An 18-month pilot curbside composting service for residents
Compost distribution to community gardens and farms, along with workshops on sustainable agriculture practices for these producers
The Sun Prairie Food RESCU Pilot aims to reach 12,000 people, divert 65,000 pounds of food waste from landfills, produce 43,000 pounds of compost, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 27 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents.
This project builds on six other CFWR projects funded in Wisconsin between 2021 and 2023, totaling $1.3 million in federal funds.
These projects supported community composting efforts, infrastructure improvements, and educational programs on composting and food recovery in schools.
Since 2020, the USDA has invested $23.3 million in 119 CFWR agreements nationwide.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: Wisconsin, Crops, Government & Policy