CET's Continued Efforts in Rhode Island's Wasted Food Assistance • CET

RHODE ISLAND

Tackling Wasted Food: 11th Hour Racing’s grant program

According to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), 40% of food in the USA goes uneaten, valued at approximately $165 billion annually.

When disposed of in a landfill, this food is a significant contributor to greenhouse gases. Rhode Island prioritizes diversion from disposal of food waste to reduce environmental impact.

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Assistance by state

Providence rhode island skyline on a cloudy gloomy day

Rhode Island’s Priorities: Wasted Food Diversion

Rhode Island is just one state prioritizing the recovery of edible food and wasted food diversion. Additionally, the RI Food Strategy, Relish Rhody, includes goals to reduce food insecurity to less than 10% and divert wasted food from landfills.

According to this report, about 35% of all waste disposed at the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation’s (RIRRC) landfill is organic material..

Expanding Support: Boosting Wasted Food Assistance

With new support from 11th Hour Racing’s grant program, funded by The Schmidt Family Foundation, CET will provide even more wasted food assistance to many businesses across the state.

This grant is part of Healthy Soils Healthy Seas Rhode Island, a composting program that aims to inspire long-lasting environmentally responsible behavior necessary to improve ocean health. Additionally, other collaborators include Black Earth Compost, Clean Ocean Access, and The Compost Plant. Compost can be used as a soil amendment for shoreline access erosion control and improving ecosystem services.

A sign in the Colgate University dining hall celebrating Colgate’s commitment to composting and reducing food waste.

“We are honored to receive funding from 11th Hour Racing’s grant program to help us tackle climate change by keeping wasted food out of landfills. Working alongside our many industry and government partners throughout the region, we know we can expand our impact.”

John MajercakPresident of CET

Expertise in Action: CET’s Support for Food Businesses

CET is deeply knowledgeable about the regional marketplace and helps food businesses work across the EPA food recovery hierarchy to identify prevention, recovery, and diversion solutions. Additionally, CET seamlessly integrates them into existing operations. Moreover, CET conducts an on-site or virtual meeting to learn more about a business and their unique needs. Then, they provide a customized report with recommendations, all at no cost to the business or institution.

Building on Past Support

This effort builds on CET’s work over the past several years in Rhode Island, which has been supported by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM), and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

CET’s Resource Development

CET develops resources to help Rhode Island businesses implement long-lasting solutions to wasted food and inspire others. Furthermore, stories can be found on CET’s Sector Spotlights for Rhode Island, which includes features such as University of Rhode Island, Elisha Project, and Riverside Church.

collaborative initiatives

Additionally, following the 2021 Rhode Island Food System Summit, CET partnered with the University of Rhode Island to host a webinar focused on the business case for reducing, rescuing, and recycling wasted food. Moreover, the webinar included members of the Rhode Island restaurant and food recovery community as well as a presentation on CET’s wasted food prevention strategy and resources. Furthermore, entities such as North Restaurant and Stoneacre Brasserie highlighted solutions such as dehydrating peels and making fermented vinegars as simple and effective ways to reduce trimmings and food waste in the kitchen.

ringing No-Cost Expertise to Aquidneck Island: Coryanne Mansell’s Perspective

“It’s a wonderful to bring our no-cost expertise to restaurants and food businesses across Aquidneck Island,” stated Coryanne Mansell, Strategic Services Representative at CET. Coryanne helps businesses implement practical wasted food solutions that make an impact.

“We are appreciative of the opportunity to help businesses recognize the value and importance of reducing wasted food. The solutions are good for the planet, for people, and make economic sense as well.”

For more than 45 years, cET has helped people and businesses save energy and reduce waste.

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