ICYMI: EPA Launches Successful Feed It Onward Initiative to Fight Food Waste at Scott Air Force Base
WASHINGTON – Last week, at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the launch of Feed It Onward, a new national initiative aimed to limit food waste by partnering food donors with communities across the country and help America’s farmers, service members and business owners.
In the United States, more than one-third of all food goes uneaten and gets thrown away, creating an impact on both the environment and American families’ wallets. Feed It Onward will combine efforts to reduce the environmental impact of food waste in landfills, and the program will continue to partner with private and public entities to highlight food waste and recovery initiatives.
Read coverage below on EPA’s new food waste initiative.
American Military News: EPA Partners With Local Farm to Fight Food Waste, Support Military Families
“Last week, Lee Zeldin, an administrator with the Environmental Protection Agency, joined forces with a local farm to bring over 20 pallets of produce to Scott Air Force Base, Ill., as part of a nationwide collaboration to reduce food waste.”
Belleville News-Democrat: How Scott AFB fights food insecurity with EPA program
“Within 30 minutes, military members and their families had claimed the 40,000 pounds of produce that Frey estimates would have retailed between $16,000 and $24,000. The donated produce would have otherwise been wasted because the large retail grocery stores Frey sells to pass up imperfect fruit and vegetables, she said.”
Environmental Protection Magazine: EPA Launches “Feed It Onward” Initiative to Reduce Food Waste, Support Communities
“...Feed It Onward connects farms, restaurants, grocery stores, food brands, and military bases with local communities to keep food out of landfills and into the hands of those who need it. The program will also spotlight food recovery initiatives nationwide as part of the America 250 celebration.”
Feedstuffs: EPA launches Feed It Onward Initiative
“Feed It Onward will continue to partner with private and public entities to highlight food waste and recovery initiatives and connect food providers with opportunities to reduce the nation’s food waste... EPA encourages organizations nationwide to join this effort to reduce food waste while strengthening communities.”
Morning Ag Clips: EPA Launches “Feed It Onward” Initiative
“U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin has announced the launch of Feed It Onward, a new national initiative designed to reduce food waste and strengthen food security across America. At Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, Administrator Zeldin was joined by representatives from Frey Farms, who delivered a truckload of fresh produce, that otherwise would’ve been sent to a landfill, to feed and support military families on base.”
RiverBender: Zeldin To Visit Scott Air Force Base: EPA Partners With Illinois Farm To Curb Food Waste
“The program represents a collaboration between the EPA and Frey Farms of Illinois, which will provide a truckload of excess watermelon, sweet corn, and watermelon juice to members of the base... The initiative is part of the EPA’s broader effort to address food waste across the country.”
Spectrum News: EPA’s food waste prevention program at Scott Air Force Base
“...EPA is using [Scott Air Force Base] to test out its ‘Feed it Onward’ program, which gives military families free locally grown food... Zeldin says it can be difficult for service members to get food this fresh and by receiving food as a donation, it allows service members to use some of their ‘food-money’ on something else.”
St. Louis Public Radio: New EPA initiative at Scott AFB donated 40,000 pounds of produce
“...The donation also solves another problem facing many military installations. Almost a quarter of active duty military members experienced what experts call ‘food insecurity,’ or not having adequate access to nutritious food, according to a 2019 report from the U.S. Department of Defense.”
U.S. Air Force: Scott AFB recipient of EPA, Frey Farms food donation partnership
“Airmen and their families here were treated to hundreds of free watermelon, corn and pumpkins and their Tsamma Watermelon Juice under the EPA’s ‘Feed it Onward’ initiative to connect farmers with nearby military installations to share their bounty with those who serve. As a retired Army officer himself, Zeldin first expressed his thanks to ‘the line of patriots’ and their families, as well as retirees who were in the audience for the event.”
Waste Advantage Magazine: EPA Launches “Feed It Onward” Initiative
“...In the United States, more than one-third of all food goes uneaten and gets thrown away. This creates an impact on both our environment and American families’ wallets. Food waste has become the largest component of materials reaching our landfills, more than any other type of trash. At the same time, millions of families across the country don’t have enough food to eat.”
“‘Feed It Onward highlights how Americans of all walks of life, from our farmers, service members, business owners and government, can join hands and help our fellow Americans,’ Zeldin says. ‘We hope this initiative will help amplify the Americans working each day to help their fellow citizens.’”