reduce food waste
We think a lot about the middle part of the food system. The part where we buy, prepare, and eat. But a food system is so much more. It’s a cycle that starts with the soil. Growing plants draw nutrients from the soil. In order to continue growing food, these nutrients need to be replaced. Regenerative agriculture is part of this process, incorporating successive plantings and animals to enhance the soil. Another part is capturing the system’s waste and adding that back into the soil. That’s where our youth composting programs come in.
Community Efforts
5B Resilient is partnering with existing youth programs to create composting plans and programs that meet their unique needs. They work with other composting entities in the Wood River Valley to create the most efficient program plan possible. These entities include but are not limited to: Winn’s Compost, Clear Creek Disposal (transportation of compost), BioCoTech Americas, the Environmental Resource Center, municipalities engaged in composting, and previously launched programs.
PARTNERSHIPS
To date, 5B Resilient has partnered with the Watch Me Grow Garden in Ketchum, Hailey Elementary School, Wood River Community YMCA, and Syringa Mountain School.
The youth compost project is only one of the amazing programs offered by 5B Resilient. For more information, visit sunvalleyinstitute.org/5BResilient.
Set up your own system
Taste not Waste
Want to keep food waste to a minimum? Try these tips.
01
Pre-plan your meals and shopping list before going to the grocery store or farmers market. Use the What’s In Season Guide to figure out what you can expect to find at the market.
02
Shop in your refrigerator and pantry first. Before buying more food, figure out what you already have that might be about to go bad.
03
Search for new recipes–Do you have potato peels or carrot tops that you don’t know what to do with? A quick search on the internet will yield tons of recipe ideas for unfamiliar ingredients.
04
Make a dedicated spot in your fridge for leftovers and food that is close to going bad. Check this section before each meal and when planning for the week.
05
Buy the “ugly” produce at the market. Select those items with bruises, odd shapes, or blemishes. They’ll still taste great and you’ll be saving them from being thrown away.
06
For any items that you simply can’t use, add them to your at-home composting system.