Stephen Knight says he’s provided more than 15,000 pounds of food to local organizations, including the Augusta Food Bank, since he began gleaning three years ago. by Jason Pafundi, staff writer Central Maine newspapers news story READFIELD — Stephen Knight picked up almost 600 pounds of Macintosh apples from the Kents Hill Orchard Wednesday morning, Read More
Food Waste
An astounding 40% of the food produced in the United States is wasted. This excessive and unsustainable amount of food waste is a real tragedy for both our environment and our people. The U.S. agriculture industry accounts for about 10 percent of our total energy used, 80 percent of our freshwater consumption, and 50 percent of our land. And almost all uneaten food ends up in landfills where it decomposes and releases methane gas—which has 25 percent more heat-trapping capability than carbon dioxide. When we waste food, we waste all of the resources used to make that food, and we contribute harmful greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere. Read news stories about food waste in Maine.
From Trash to Table, RSU 19 is Seeking to Put Its Food Waste to Better Use
By Lauren Abbate, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story ETNA, Maine ― Mid-afternoon on a recent Thursday the students at the Etna-Dixmont School were outside frolicking through a field on the left side of the school. While a passerby might mistake the children’s high spirits for a typical recess session, they were actually participating Read More
NRCM Testimony in Support of LD 1534, “An Act to Address Hunger, Support Maine Farms, and Reduce Waste”
Senator Saviello, Representative Tucker, and members of the Joint Standing Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, my name is Ryan Parker and I am the Environmental Policy Outreach Coordinator for the Natural Resources Council of Maine. I appreciate this opportunity to testify in support of LD 1534. NRCM supports the intent and language of LD Read More
In a First for Maine, Scarborough and South Portland Will Start Collecting Food Waste
Pilot programs will test an idea that officials say is the next big phase for municipal recycling because it involves almost 28 percent of household trash in the state. By Peter McGuire, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story South Portland and Scarborough are getting ready to launch Maine’s first municipal food waste collection programs. Read More
Winslow Considers Pilot Programs for Food Waste Recycling
The goals are to increase diversion rates and save money. By Madeline St. Amour Central Maine newspapers news story WINSLOW — A committee tasked with finding innovative ways to handle the town’s waste is piloting a recycling program that could increase diversion rates and save money. The program would recycle food waste, bringing it to the Read More
The Costs of Buying Food We Throw Out
By Bonnie Washuk, Staff Writer Sun Journal news story It’s almost Christmas, a time traditionally to not only spend money on gifts and decorations but also on food for feasts and gatherings. Want to save some easy money during this budget-busting season? Don’t buy food and throw it away. That’s the message from a host Read More
How Not to Waste Food: Shop Wisely, then Separate, Wrap, Label and Freeze
By Bonnie Washuk, Staff Writer Sun Journal news story LEWISTON — Food is a resource that shouldn’t be wasted, especially with so many in need, Bridgette Bartlett, St. Mary’s Nutrition Center Garden Education Coordinator, said. The number of people using St. Mary’s food pantry has grown from 378 individuals a week in 2014 to 550 Read More
RSU 16 Takes a Stand to Cut Food Waste and Costs
RSU 16, comprised of schools in Mechanic Falls, Minot and Poland, which recently made news for pushing back against a waste handling company trying to bill the schools for dumpster removal, is pushing ahead with their efforts to implement recycling and composting programs. RSU 16 schools are working to reduce waste and save money. As Read More
New Pyramid Points to Ways We Can Stop Wasting Food
The Food Recovery Hierarchy developed by the Environmental Protection Agency shows how to take steps to conserve resources. by Christine Burns Rudalevige Portland Press Herald column As my kids moved through their middle school health classes, I followed the USDA’s transition from the food pyramid to the MyPlate illustration as the tool of choice for Read More
