Federal Food Recovery Opportunities and Planning to Meet EO13693 Objectives: 09/24/2015

Executive Order 13693, Planning for Federal Sustainability in the Next Decade, issued in March of 2015, calls on federal agencies to maintain leadership in sustainability and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A key element of the order is to "advance waste prevention and pollution prevention by . . . diverting at least 50 percent of non-hazardous solid waste, including food and compostable material . . " Notably, wasted food constitutes the largest quantity of divertible material sent to landfills. Of the estimated 34 million tons thrown out, only 2.5 percent is diverted. Wasted food is estimated at 30-40% of the food supply and is the third largest source of methane gas, one of the most potent greenhouse gases responsible for trapping heat in the atmosphere.

"Food recovery," which includes practices such as the purchase of less food, donation of edible food and composting, can significantly reduce waste to landfills. This webinar will outline why federal food purchasing matters and how to include food recovery into strategic planning and food service contracts and leases. It will also feature an example of how a federal and concessioner partnership successfully contributed to food recovery.

Darby Hoover, Senior Resource Specialist, and JoAnne Berkenkamp, Senior Advocate, Food and Agriculture Program, Natural Resources Defense Council, will outline a five-point plan to help federal agencies strengthen business practices and identify high priority waste reduction strategies associated with food services. A representative from the National Park Service is expected to speak as well.

• Listen to audio presentation Exit (registration required)

• FGC Webinar: Federal Food Recovery Opportunities and Planning to Meet EO13693 Objectives (PDF)(26 pp, 1 MB, 09/24/2015)
  Presentation slides from Federal Green Challenge Webinar: Federal Food Recovery Opportunities and Planning to Meet EO13693 Objectives - September 24, 2015