The Institute for Local Self-Reliance and Rodale Institute joined forces to provide a one-day training program for existing and potential compost practitioners and policy makers. The program included both classroom sessions and field tours presenting issues related to food scraps generation, hauling, and composting practices to inform participants about all aspects of starting and running a successful food composting operation. In addition, the program highlighted other food composting initiatives in the region. Funding support was provided by the US Environmental Protection Agency.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:
- Mark (Coach) Smallwood, Rodale Institute, Executive Director, introduced the group to the work and history of the Institute.
- Jeff Moyer, Rodale Institute, Director of Farm Operations, provided an overview of the food composting process.
- Patty Olenick, Weis Markets, Sustainability Specialist, discussed her company’s food composting pilot projects.
- Leah Nichols, Rodale Inc. Food Service described the food scraps collection practices at Rodale Publishing.
- Andy Barsky, Sodexo, Senior GM Food and Nutrition Service, presented his company’s pre-consumer food scraps composting program with the Lehigh Valley Health Network.
- Ned Foley, Two Particular Acres, Owner, highlighted his experiences with on-farm composting and his involvement with other initiatives in the state.
- Bob Cougle, Cougle Recycling, Inc., Owner, gave a presentation from the perspective of a food scraps hauler.
