Event Recap: Starting from Scratch, a Conversation about Food Waste

This month Columbia Heights Green played host to an important discussion on food waste in Washington DC. Attendees learned that the United States is the biggest contributor to food waste per capita, with an estimated 600 pounds of food waste per person per year! While food waste has lost economic and social value, food waste left in the landfill is also currently accounting for 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions  Slow Food DC brought together representatives from different parts of the food system to discuss how people, and businesses are reducing and reusing food waste in the city. We were lucky to welcome Jeanlouise Conaway, Co-Owner of Each Peach (A 2022 Snail of Approval Winner!), Chef Mark Haskell, Chef and CEO of Friends and Food International, Wesley Mahmud, Compost Education Manager with Compost Cab and Steve Coleman, Executive Director and President of Washington Parks of People.    

Attendees learned about the intentional efforts businesses like Each Peach take everyday to reduce food waste and save money at the same time.  While the chefs shared creative recipes they made to reduce food waste they also acknowledged the importance of composting at home and in a business.  Compost Cab shared how they customize composting plans for their customers and how they are advocating for broader composting  programs across the city.  While food waste collected through the city's farmer's market programs has seen a major jump in the past decade thanks to groups like Compost Cab there is more work to be done to address this issue.  Lastly, attendees heard how Washington Parks and People is using their garden spaces to compost food waste to not only grow food but also grow a healthy and inclusive community.

Following the discussion, community members took home free seeds courtesy of the Share a Seed program and free compost from the Compost Cab.  To learn more or get more involved in efforts to fight food waste, please check out Sierra Club’s Zero Waste Committee, Institute of Self Reliance Composting Resources, DC government’s food waste drop off points and DC’s Community Compost Cooperative Network.