Americans are wasting more than $165 billion worth of food every year according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Green Needham’s October 22nd program on Food Waste was a first step to bring together the Needham community to take action locally. But Needham is far from alone in this effort. This summer, Green Needham joined with Wellesley’s 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) committee to bring together representatives from area communities for a Food Waste summit.
Now, as a follow-up to our October 22nd educational program, Green Needham is pleased to be a supporting co-sponsor of a film showing and presentation organized by the Wellesley 3R committee.
“GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT: Solutions for Reducing Food Waste” will be held Tuesday, December 8th from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Wakelin Room of the Wellesley Free Library. The program will explore possible options for food recycling and recovery, and will feature a screening of the food waste documentary, Just Eat It, inspired by Wellesley High School graduate Jonathan Bloom’s book, American Wasteland.
Following the film, Wellesley native Ashley Stanley, founder of the Boston food rescue group Lovin’ Spoonfuls, will explain how her organization picks up surplus edible food from businesses such as Whole Foods and Roche Bros. and distributes it to those in need.
“Wasted food impacts our environment, our climate and our budget – the average family of four could save more than $1000 every year by being less wasteful,” said Ellen Korpi, chair of Wellesley’s Sustainable Energy Committee and a member of Wellesley 3R. “We use one quarter of our water supply and four percent of our energy to grow food that is never eaten, and yet, 1 in 7 Americans regularly don’t have enough food to eat. The film, Jonathan Bloom’s book and Ashley Stanley’s group offer insight and solutions to this issue that I hope residents will consider.”
The event is open to the public. Roche Bros., one of the co-sponsors, is providing recovered refreshments – baked goods that would otherwise be sent to a compost bin.
Click here for event flyer, and more information about the event from the town of Wellesley.
Co-sponsors from Wellesley are: League of Women Voters, Green Schools, Farmers Market, WHS Green Team, Council on Aging, Friends of Recycling, Sustainable Wellesley, Unitarian Universalists Green Sanctuary Ministry, Village Church Environmental Ministry, Temple Beth Elohim.
Co-sponsors from Needham are: Green Needham Collaborative, League of Women Voters, First Parish Green Congregation Committee.
Wellesley 3R was formed by Wellesley’s Department of Public Works, Natural Resources Commission and Sustainable Energy Committee to explore waste management issues.
