ITHACA, NY (CortacaToday) – Tompkins County is getting money to help address food and garbage problems.
Recycling and Materials Management (TCRMM) will use USDA funding for programs to reduce how much food is being thrown out, devise a new strategy for prepared food donations, and support on-farm composting and use. TCRMM will work with local partners like the Friendship Donations Network, TC3 Farm, Coltivare, the Cornell Waste Management Institute, and more.
“Food scraps make up approximately 18% of the waste stream in New York State,” said TCRMM Director Leo Riley. “There are many benefits to reducing waste. This funding from the USDA will bring more resources for businesses to divert prepared food to individuals in need as well as help support local farms to recycle more food waste into a valuable soil amendment.”
TCRMM and project partners will host a roundtable with local food businesses to discuss food waste reduction strategies this fall. Those strategies will be implemented into the ReBusiness Partners programs to help prevent waste, redistribute surplus food, and compost anything that remains.
TCRMM is one of just 38 recipients of USDA funding for the Composting and Food Waste Reduction Project, which runs until 2026.
“These Composting and Food Waste Reduction projects help communities reduce food waste and greenhouse gas emissions,” said Chief of USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Terry Cosby. “Local strategies like these are important climate solutions and also contribute to food security at the community level.”
More info about the roundtable, a farm composting workshop, and technical assistance opportunities will be released at a later time by TCRMM, though they ask anyone interested to contact them through their website.
