Submitted by Thurston County Solid Waste
A grant is now available to help prevent wasted food and fight hunger in our communities.
In Thurston County, we threw away 26,850 tons of food in 2014, making it the single largest item in our trash. Nationally, from farm to fork, Americans toss about 40 percent of all food produced, while 1 in 6 residents go hungry. This is a huge waste of financial and environmental resources. With new innovative approaches like the Thurston County Food Recovery Enhancement Grant, much of this waste can be prevented.
The grant is intended to increase the recovery of surplus fresh and prepared foods from restaurants, grocery stores, and schools to help feed people in need. Eligible organizations include food pantries, churches, and feeding programs. A total of $230,400 is available for equipment purchases or to make facility or vehicle modifications. No matching funds from applicants are required. Grant proposals are due on December 18, 2015.
“The need to collect more food to feed hungry people in our community keeps growing. This grant is intended to meet that need, while keeping wasted food out of the landfill. No project is too small and larger more ambitious projects are welcome. Whether this means refrigeration, storage space, or something creative we haven’t thought about yet, we want non-profits to contact us with their ideas, ” said Peter Guttchen, Waste Reduction Specialist with Thurston County Solid Waste.
This grant will build on the success of a similar program launched in 2013. As part of that effort, Thurston County provided support to the Thurston County Food Bank to acquire a refrigerated truck and to renovate their kitchen. With these new resources, the Food Bank collected more than 26 tons of surplus bulk and fresh prepared foods in 2014. This food was then repacked into 33,000 ready-to-eat meals that were distributed to needy families.
What does this mean for businesses and residents?
Currently, businesses are able to donate without risk of liability. Within the State of Washington the Good Samaritan Food Donation Act (RCW 69.80.031) protects businesses when donating edible foods as long as the food is handled in the same safe manner as it would be for customers. Donating surplus edible food is considerably less expensive for a business than paying for disposal.
Anyone can help, whether it is through volunteering or by donating food or money. Students, families, non-profits, and businesses across the county are all encouraged to be part of the solution. As part of this grant, help will be provided to organizations involved in this work to increase their capacity to recruit and train volunteers and to solicit new food donations.
For more information visit www.WasteLessFood.com/FoodGrant or contact Peter Guttchen, Waste Reduction Specialist at 360-867-2283 or guttchp@co.thurston.wa.us.
