EPA has announced $23,351 in grant funding to the Center for EcoTechnology (CET) through the agency’s Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) program. CET received EPA funding in 2021, for an initial phase of its project to improve food waste reduction and recovery in Denver.
CET initiated the Wasted Food Solutions’ project in 2021 at the request of the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment to identify barriers and provide solutions to increase food donations in the city. CET is a nongovernmental organization based in Massachusetts that helps cities and states across the country connect with wasted food solutions.
This award allows CET to continue its work with the city and put into action many of the tools and strategies developed last year. Over the course of a year CET will apply findings from the initial phase of this project to implement strategies that increase participation in and adoption of food donation efforts. CET will connect with local food businesses, food banks, food rescue organizations, and local government to capture success stories of donation while honing support materials that spur food recovery. The project will culminate in a campaign that draws on community-based social marketing techniques to inspire new businesses to donate surplus edible food.
“The initial phase of this project demonstrated great success in improving barriers to food recovery in Denver,” said Regional Administrator KC Becker. “By implementing and enhancing food recovery efforts, CET is serving as an example to communities across the country of the important role the food-sector can play in reducing waste, and minimizing environmental impacts of food production and disposal, while also providing nutritious meals to those experiencing food insecurity.”
”CET is looking forward to working with project partners to highlight existing activities that redistribute safe, edible food, while increasing these critical partnerships,” said Ashley Muspratt, President of The Center for EcoTechnology. “Surplus happens, and we want to work with businesses to foster relationships with community partners that can help redistribute it, positively impacting our communities, our environment, and businesses’ bottom lines.”