EPA Region 7 is announcing nine new collegiate members of EPA's Food Recovery Challenge (FRC), a national initiative aimed at encouraging businesses, organizations and institutions to actively participate in food waste prevention, surplus food donation and food waste recycling activities.
The nine new members from Region 7 include Coe College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Luther College, Decorah, Iowa; Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, Mo.; Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville, Mo.; Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, Kan.; St. Louis University, St. Louis, Mo.; Truman State University, Kirksville, Mo.; University of Iowa-Iowa City; and Washington University, St. Louis, Mo.
"EPA applauds this year's new members for demonstrating how higher education institutions, large and small, can lead the way to reducing wasted food, saving energy and cutting greenhouse gas emissions," said Karl Brooks, EPA regional administrator. "Food today makes up 21 percent of Americans' trash, so by participating in the FRC these colleges and universities gain access to tools and assistance they will use to cut food waste, save money, help communities and protect the environment."
The Food Recovery Challenge encourages organizations to find better alternatives to throwing food away. It helps organizations learn to practice leaner purchasing and divert surplus food away from landfills to hunger-relief organizations and onto the tables of those in need in the community. It also diverts food scraps, suitable for composting or animal consumption, to composting or animal feed.
The nine new collegiate members will join 10 other member organizations already participating in the FRC in Region 7: the Kansas City Chiefs; St. Louis Cardinals; Kansas State University; St. Louis Blues Hockey; University of Kansas; University of Missouri-Columbia; University of Missouri-Kansas City; University of Northern Iowa; Society of St. Andrew; and Harvest Caf?and Wine Bar.
FRC members will help recycle food waste and keep it out of landfills. Landfills are one of the largest contributors of methane gas, which affects climate change, including warmer temperatures, stronger storms and more droughts.
