Virtual Fair Addresses Food Waste In Lake County

Press release from SWALCO:

May 9, 2021

SWALCO announced today that they have been selected to showcase their Community Compost and Food Waste Reduction Project at the first-ever USDA Virtual Food Loss and Waste Innovation Fair on May 26 (11 - 3 p.m. CT).

SWALCO received a USDA grant for a pilot community compost project. Activities include conducting a compost-to-farmland demonstration study, engaging community gardeners through education and outreach, and reducing and diverting food waste from landfills. Food is the single largest material in our US landfills, and 40 percent of all food produced for consumption goes uneaten. We are hopeful that efforts like these will help combat the great challenges facing our environment and us, today.

“Lake County is leading the way in developing opportunities to effectively divert food waste from our landfills by directing it to local compost processors, who in turn are converting into beneficial soil nutrients,” said Executive Director of SWALCO, Walter Willis. “SWALCO is proud to have been selected by the USDA to showcase the work we are doing because of the grant we were awarded in September of last year.”

The first-ever Virtual USDA Innovation Fair will present businesses and research teams that have received USDA funding to research or commercialize cutting-edge food loss and waste solutions. Additionally, several USDA agencies – such as the Agricultural Research Service and the Food Safety and Inspection Service – will discuss their food loss and waste activities in research, measurement, education, funding, and outreach. Other presenters include several U.S. Food Loss and Waste 2030 Champions, businesses that have committed to reducing food loss and waste in their operations by 50 percent by 2030. The 2030 Champions initiative is co-led by USDA and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

This free, virtual event will feature virtual booths where visitors can learn about state-of-the-art solutions from business, government, and academic innovators. Attendees can text chat with representatives and other guests, watch videos, and download reports and other materials. Register today.

Formed in 1991, SWALCO is recognized as a unit of local government in Illinois and includes 43 municipalities, the County of Lake, and the U.S. Naval Station Great Lakes as members. Over the past 30 years the Agency has focused on developing and implementing programs to recover materials from final disposal and educating residents, businesses, and institutions on why and how to be better recyclers, composters, and environmental stewards. Learn more about the various composting and food waste reduction opportunities SWALCO provides within Lake County.

The USDA Food Loss and Waste Innovation Fair is among the individual and collective efforts of USDA, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to work towards the national goal of reducing food loss and waste by 50 percent by 2030. Learn more about USDA, EPA, and FDA programs and resources to reduce food loss and waste.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

This press release was produced by SWALCO. The views expressed here are the author's own.