Regional Resources to Reduce and Divert Wasted Food Across the United States

Food loss and waste is a growing problem in our modern society. The amount of food Americans throw away each year is staggering.

EPA estimates that more food reaches landfills and incinerators than any other single material in our everyday trash, constituting 24 percent of the amount landfilled and 22 percent of the amount combusted with energy recovery in 2018. In 2019, about 66 million tons of wasted food were generated in the food retail, food service, and residential sectors, and most of this waste (about 60%) was sent to landfills.

There are growing efforts to prevent wasted food from occurring in the first place and to divert it from landfills and incinerators.

Below are links to state and local environmental agencies and waste management programs, nonprofit and partner organizations that provide resources and information about food systems, food recovery, food rescue, food donation, composting, and anaerobic digestion.

Choose your state or EPA region from the map below or scroll down the page and find information about regional, state, and local wasted food prevention and diversion efforts.

Map of the United States and territories displaying EPA Regions 1 though 10

EPA Region 1: Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont

Recent projects and grants awarded by the EPA New England Sustainable Food Management Program are listed below:

Healthy Communities Grant Program

The Healthy Communities Grant Program is EPA New England's main competitive grant program to work directly with communities to reduce environmental risks, protect and improve human health and improve the quality of life. Below are the organizations that have received grant awards in the past three years to further wasted food reduction and diversion projects:

2022 Awardees

MEANS Database, Rhode Island & Bristol County Food Recovery Extension, $30,000
Loving Spoonfuls, Inc., Food Rescue and Hunger Relief in Massachusetts, $40,000
Product Stewardship Institute, Building Back Better with Less Packaging and Plastic Waste, $39,992
City of Middletown CT, Fostering Circular Solutions for Takeout Containers, $40,000
Growing Places Project, Inc., Local Food Works - Closing the Loop. $39,997
Environmental Council of RI, Rhode Island Schools Recycling Club Get Food Smart RI: K-12 Schools, $40,000
Institute for Local Self-Reliance, Inc., Composting for Community Initiative, $40,000
Center for Eco Technology, Wasted Food Solutions New Haven County, $40,000
Center for Eco Technology, Wasted Food Solutions Providence County, $40,000

2021 Awardees

Center for Ecotechnology; Wasted Food Solutions in Providence County Phase III, $35,000
Center for Ecotechnology; Wasted Food Solutions in New Haven County Phase III, $35,000
Northeast Waste Management Officials Association (NEWMOA); End Food Waste Initiative in East Boston, $30,000
Farm to Institution New England (FINE); Addressing the Impacts of College “Grab n’ Go” Dining: A Pilot Project to Reduce the Risk of Perfluorocarbons (PFAS) in College Dining Containers Due to COVID-19 Responses, $30,000

2020 Awardees

Center for Ecotechnology; Wasted Food Solutions in Providence County Phase II, $35,000
Center for Ecotechnology; Wasted Food Solutions in New Haven County Phase II, $35,000
Lakes Region Planning Commission; The WoTu Sustainability Cooperative Community Food Systems Project, $34,659
Rhode Island (RI) Department of Environmental Management; RI School’s Recycling Club Get Food Smart RI, $35,000

State	Resources
New England	Harvard Food Law and Policy Clinic Toolkit: Keeping Food out of the Landfill - Policy Ideas for States and Localities (pdf) (84 pp, 6.7MB) is a resource for state and local policymakers interested in reducing food waste. The toolkit provides comprehensive information on policy areas that states and localities can consider as they ramp up efforts to reduce food waste: date labeling, tax incentives, liability protections, organic waste bans, leftovers for livestock, as well as other food waste policies. Northeast Recycling Council (NERC) is a multi-state nonprofit organization whose programs focus on source reduction, reuse, recycling, composting, environmentally preferable purchasing (EPP), and decreasing the toxicity of the solid waste stream in the region. Spoiler Alert: Food Waste Reduction & Food Donation Resources for New England lists state-specific information on best practices for food donation, legal information on your state’s waste ban, how to find local food banks and rescue programs, and toolkits on managing organic waste and composting. The Center for EcoTechnology developed: The Food Waste Digestion Insights (pdf)(4.7 MB), an overview document which discusses anaerobic digestion fundamentals and gives solution provider examples from the Northeast. The Wasted Food Solutions website, which highlights resources from the six New England states.
Connecticut	Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commercial Organics Ban took effect on October 1, 2014 and was updated in Public Act (PA) No. 21-16, approved May 2021. It requires that “on and after January 1, 2022, each commercial food wholesaler or distributor, industrial food manufacturer or processor, supermarket, resort or conference center that is located not more than 20 miles from an authorized source separated organic material composting facility and that generates an average projected volume of not less than 26 tons/year of source separated organic materials shall: Separate such source separated organic materials from other solid waste; and ensure that such source separated organic materials are recycled at any authorized source separated organic material composting facility that has available capacity and that will accept such source separated organic material. The Center for Eco Technology has developed a resource for Connecticut businesses interested in learning more about the potential financial savings from preventing food waste. This document includes success stories, a baseline formula, and more.
Maine	Maine Department of Environmental Protection Composting resources and guidance. The Center for EcoTechnology has developed the Wasted Food Solutions website that highlights resources from Maine.
Massachusetts	Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Statewide Commercial Organics Disposal Ban took effect on October 1, 2014 and states that businesses and institutions that dispose of one ton or more of source separated organic materials per week need to divert food wastes from disposal to composting, conversion, recycling or reuse, recovery for donation or animal feed. Note: as of November 1, 2022, the threshold on commercial organic/food waste to facilities generating more than one-half ton of these materials per week is included in the ban. Recyclingworks Massachusetts is a state sponsored program that provides technical assistance to businesses and institutions to reduce waste, including food waste. A variety of tools and resources, including food donation best management practices, have been developed.
New Hampshire	New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services – information on waste management The Center for EcoTechnology has developed the Wasted Food Solutions website that highlights resources from New Hampshire.
Rhode Island	Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Food Waste Ban took effect on January 1, 2016 and applies to organic waste producing institutions generating more than 104 tons per year (two tons per week). Food waste generators are exempt from recycling their materials if there is not a composting or anaerobic digestion facility within 15 miles of the institution’s location. As of January 1, 2018, covered educational institutions that generate 1 ton of organic waste per week or more, must recycle it at a composting or anaerobic digestion facility, or by another authorized recycling method. The Rhode Island school food waste law, as of January 1, 2022, requires all schools to comply with the state’s Food Waste Ban to divert waste from landfills and promote the donation of nonperishable foods. Schools will need to conduct a waste audit every three years with the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation, which will provide individualized guidelines and strategies for reducing waste at each school. It also requires all Rhode Island schools to implement and use share tables and encourages selecting food service companies that recycle organic waste and purchase at least 10% of product locally. The Center for EcoTechnology has developed a supplemental training video, in partnership with the Rhode Island Department of Health, that highlights the importance of food donation in Rhode Island. The video reviews the roles of surplus food recovery and distribution organizations and showcases the impact grocery stores can have when they partner with these organizations on food donation programs.
Vermont	Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation Universal Recycling Law (Act 148), effectively bans disposal of traditional recyclables, leaf and yard waste, and food scraps found in Vermonters' trash bins. Food scrap (organic, compostable kitchen wastes) diversion began in a phased approach on July 1, 2014, applying to food scrap generators with greater than 2 tons per week of food waste and located within 20 miles of a certified composting or anaerobic digestion facility. Since 2020, all food scraps, including those from households, must be diverted with no exemption for distance. The Center for EcoTechnology has developed the Wasted Food Solutions website that highlights resources from Vermont.

EPA Region 2: New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, and the United States Virgin Islands

State	State Environmental Agency Resources	Additional Resources and Information
New York	New York Department of Environmental Conservation Food Donation and Food Scraps Recycling Law Information on anaerobic digestion Information on composting	City Harvest Food Rescue in New York City Food Bank of Western New York (serving Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, and Niagara Counties) GrowNYC Compost Program Information on composting food scraps and yard trim in New York City
New Jersey	New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Information on food waste	Community FoodBank of New Jersey Food Bank of South Jersey Fulfill (formerly the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties)

State

State Environmental Agency Resources

Additional Resources and Information

New York

New York Department of Environmental Conservation

City Harvest Food Rescue in New York City
Food Bank of Western New York (serving Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, and Niagara Counties)
GrowNYC Compost Program
Information on composting food scraps and yard trim in New York City

New Jersey

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

Information on food waste

EPA Region 3: Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia

State	Staten Environmental Agency Resources	Additional Resource and Information
Delaware	Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control - Composting	Food Donation - Free Food DE Food Rescue Logistics and Delivery - Delaware Food Assistance Animal Feed Regulations in Delaware
District of Columbia	Zero Waste DC – information on food waste prevention, food donation, and options for composting food scraps and yard trim	A legal guide to food recovery in Washington, DC Animal Feed Regulations in Washington, DC Food Donation – Capital Area Food Bank Food Donation K-12 – DC Food Project Food Recovery Network - DC Chapter Food Rescue Logistics and Delivery - DC Central Kitchen FoodRescueUS (DC Chapter) Farm Gleaning Organization – Food for Others Organic Waste Recycling Laws in Washington, DC
Maryland	Maryland Department of the Environment – Food scrap management List of compost facilities in Maryland	Animal Feed Regulations in Maryland Baltimore Orchard Project Food Donation - Community Food Rescue in Montgomery County Food Recovery Network – Maryland Chapter Maryland Organic Waste Recycling Laws Wasted Food Solutions Toolkit for Maryland including information on food rescue logistics and delivery
Pennsylvania	Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection - composting List of food waste composting and anaerobic digestion facilities in Pennsylvania	Farm Gleaning Organization – The Gleaning Project of South Central Pennsylvania Feeding Food Scraps to Animals (Legal Fact Sheet) Food Donation - Hunger Free PA Food Rescue Logistics and Delivery - PA Food Rescue Resources Pennsylvania Resources Council - composting resources Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Recycling Markets Center Wasted Food Solutions Toolkit for PA
Virginia		Animal Feed Regulations in Virginia George Washington Regional Commission – Composting in US and Virginia Food Donation - Federation of Virginia Food Banks Food Rescue Logistics and Delivery - Food Rescue US Virginia Beach Farm Gleaning Organization - Food for Others
West Virginia		Animal Feed Regulations in West Virginia Composting Rules in West Virginia Farm Gleaning Organization - West Virginia Farmers Market Association Food Donation - Need Help West Virginia Food Rescue Logistics and Delivery - Mountaineer Food Bank

EPA Region 4: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee

State	State Environmental Agency Resources	Additional Resources and Information
Alabama		Composting in the City of Montgomery (pdf)(1.17 MB).
Florida	Florida Department of Environmental Protection: Composting. Food donation. Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - Florida’s Food Recovery Resource Guide (pdf)(1.66 MB).	Florida Organics Recycling Center for Excellence is a state funded organization dedicated to advancing composting in Florida through research, events, and education.
Georgia	Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division - information and resources on reducing food waste and composting.	Atlanta Community Food Bank is a nonprofit organization that takes food donations across the Atlanta area.  Foodwell Alliance connects people and resources across Metro Atlanta to amplify and accelerate the local food movement through community gardens, grants and workshops. Georgia Organics is a nonprofit organization that has resources for teachers and cafeteria workers to implement farm to school resources, along with an interactive map to find local food resources in Georgia.
Kentucky		GleanKY is an organization that gathers and redistributes excess fresh fruits and vegetables to nourish Kentucky’s hungry. Organics Recovery Program Development Tool (pdf) (2.2 MB) was created by the Environmental Finance Center at the University of Louisville in conjugation with EPA, to assist colleges and universities with organizing or expanding organics recovery programs. Seedleaf works to increase the amount, affordability, nutritional value and sustainability of food available to people at risk of hunger in central Kentucky by growing, recycling and sharing food.
Mississippi	Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality Composting Program and Managing Food Scraps for a Sustainable Food System curriculum (pdf) (73.6 KB).
North Carolina	North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality: Organics Recycling & Composting  information (grant programs, compost facilities and state contacts). Financial opportunities to support recycling- based businesses.	North Carolina Association of Feeding America Food Banks provides an interactive map for identifying food banks for donations across the state.
South Carolina	Don’t Waste Food S.C. - a collaborative campaign between the public and private sectors. Find information on food labels, composting for businesses and at home. South Carolina Department of Agriculture - information on buying local food across the state.	Action for a Cleaner Tomorrow offers K-12 curriculum materials about recycling. Loaves and Fishes and Harvest Hope are food banks.
Tennessee	Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation: Resources on commercial and residential composting and anaerobic digestion. Funding opportunities. Get Food Smart TN - a statewide initiative that provides technical assistance and resources to consumers, restaurants, grocers, businesses, government entities, nonprofits, and other entities to combat food waste in Tennessee.	Metro Nashville has information on composting for the Nashville area. The Green Hospitality Program works with restaurants, welcome centers, and hotels to create and promote a more sustainable state.

EPA Region 5: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin

State	State Environmental Agency Resources	Additional Resources and Information
Illinois	Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Bureau of Land Composting information and resources	The Illinois Food Scrap Coalition is a group of solid waste agencies, counties, community and government organizations, businesses, schools, institutions, service providers, and processors dedicated to advancing food scrap composting in Illinois through program implementation, policy, and advocacy. It is also a participating state chapter of the U.S. Composting Council. The Illinois Recycling Foundation is a statewide 501(c)3 group charged with providing educational literature, events, tours, networking opportunities and webinars promoting food waste reduction and composting. The Illinois Wasted Food Action Alliance is comprised of a diverse set of organizations helping build a unified approach towards reducing and diverting wasted food.
Indiana	Indiana Department of Environmental Management Composting information and resources	Circular Indiana is focused on education and advocacy to strengthen the circular economy across the state of Indiana and addresses food waste across the entire food system.
Michigan	Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Great Lakes and Energy Food Waste and Recovery Information	The Michigan Recycling Coalition, through its Michigan Organics Council, works to bring together organics generators, processors, and end users to network, share best practices, and promote diversion of organics and utilization of compost and other end products. In November 2017, the Michigan Organics Council voted to become Michigan's charter chapter of the U.S. Composting Council.
Minnesota	Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Information on preventing wasted food Information on composting and managing organic waste	The Minnesota Composting Council is the Minnesota state chapter of the U.S. Composting Council. As a state affiliate of the U.S. Composting Council, it is dedicated to the development, expansion, and promotion of the composting industry based upon sound science, principles of sustainability, and economic viability. The Recycling Association of Minnesota is committed to promoting resource conservation through waste prevention, reuse, recycling, composting and purchasing practices using the most cost effective and environmentally sound methods available in Minnesota.
Ohio	Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Materials and Waste Management Composting Guidance and Rules	Best Practices for Food Donation in Cleveland - this trifold handout can be shared to encourage food safety standards. The Organics Recycling Association of Ohio is a nonprofit organization that promotes the growth of the organics recycling industry in Ohio by encouraging further study, research, advancement, and development of composting and organic recycling through professionalism, education, training, information exchange and networking within the industry and with regulatory agencies. Hamilton County R3source’s Wasted Food Stops With Us campaign. Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio and the Central Ohio Food Waste Initiative’s Save More Than Food campaign. Ohio Success Stories: The Business Case for Reducing Food Waste
Wisconsin	Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Overview of composting regulations	Associated Recyclers of Wisconsin (AROW) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit association that provides statewide proactive leadership on waste reduction and recycling through education, advocacy, collaboration, programs and services. AROW’s Organics and Composting Committee advises and guides the organization's organics and composting programming, creates awareness about the value of organics, and collaborates with groups, businesses and agencies to promote the use and diversion of organics. Recycling Connections is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported through service contracts, grants, product sales, and donations for waste reduction, recycling, and resource conservation. Recycling Connections helps communities compost and reduce food waste through outreach, education, social media and programming.

EPA Region 6: Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas

State	Resources
Arkansas	University of Arkansas Food Recovery Project Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality composting information (pdf)(219 KB)
Louisiana	Backyard composting information (pdf)(421 KB) Agricultural Solid Waste Best Management Practices Guidelines (pdf)(19.3 KB)
New Mexico	Food Not Bombs New Mexico Environment Department composting information
Oklahoma	Backyard and Worm Composting information from Compost Everything, a resource for composting based in Tulsa. Backyard composting information from the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension (pdf)(337 KB) School Composting and Worm Composting Resources (pdf)(82.6 KB) Worm composting classroom activity (pdf)(201 KB)
Texas	Master Composter Training Texas Commission on Environmental Quality information about composting Resources in Austin: The city provides a Zero Waste Event Rebate as a financial incentive for event organizers to make their outdoor events more sustainable and help reduce the amount of trash sent to area landfills. Resources in Dallas/Ft. Worth: FoodSource DFW is a nonprofit organization that strives to reduce waste, and distribute food and resources to people and families in need. Equal Heart delivers federally funded meals free of charge to children at after-school and summer sites throughout the country.

EPA Region 7: Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska

Sign up for the EPA Region 7 Digest Newsletter

Learn about upcoming events, webinars, and grant opportunities. To subscribe, email [email protected]. For more news from EPA Region 7, visit Region 7's Facebook page.

State	State Environmental Agency Resources	Additional Resources and Information
Iowa	Iowa Department of Natural Resources	Food Waste Minimization Toolkit for Iowa Schools (pdf) (2.9 MB) - developed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Iowa Department of Education to assist school administrators and nutrition staff to reduce food insecurity and waste. Information from the City of Iowa City about local residential curbside composting, home composting and strategies for reducing wasted food. Food Rescue Partnership is a community-focused coalition committed to rescuing food throughout the Quad Cities that would otherwise be thrown away. It informs and engages the public, and fosters partnerships among food establishments, the food bank, food pantries, meal sites, and shelters. The Iowa Waste Reduction Center is a nationally recognized organization at the University of Northern Iowa devoted to consulting, assistance, training and education for entities with environmental impact or need. It provides information on reducing and diverting food waste.
Kansas	Kansas Department of Health and Environment	Johnson County Department of Health and Environment Food Policy Council promotes a healthy community by offering guidance on reducing consumer food waste and advocating for equitable access to healthy food. Kansas State University Pollution Prevention Institute offers a food donation mapping tool by county and provides local case studies and technical guidance to reduce food waste.
Missouri	Missouri Department of Natural Resources and Missouri State Recycling Program	Missouri Recycling Association seeks to increase food donation and keep excess food from going to state landfills. Composting and Organics Association of Missouri works on the development, expansion and promotion of the composting and organics industry in Missouri. Green Dining Alliance offers a restaurant sustainability certification program. Mid-America Regional Council Solid Waste Management District's Recycle Spot offers tips for reducing food waste at home and in the community. The Missouri Botanic Garden's Earthways Center for Sustainability composts and reuses almost 100 percent of their plant and food waste and has a Green Event Guide with resources for hosting sustainable events at a community scale.
Nebraska	Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality	Nebraska Recycling Council provides technical and grant assistance to recycling programs and communities state-wide. Keep Nebraska Beautiful works to inspire Nebraskans to take actions that improve and beautify our communities.

EPA Region 8: Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming

State	Resources
Colorado	Care and Share Food Bank for Southern Colorado exists to ensure that the one in seven Southern Coloradans at risk of hunger have access to enough healthy and nutritious food to thrive. The Colorado Food Recovery Network recovers meals from college dining halls and delivers them to local partners to distribute to the community. Denver Inner City Parish has one of the original and longest running programs offered by the Denver Inner City Parish. Ecotrust Food Hub is an online platform that connects farmers, ranchers, fishermen and specialty producers with wholesale food buyers in their region. Food Bank of the Rockies teams up with hundreds of hunger relief partners to serve communities across Colorado and Wyoming that are striving to provide equitable access to proper nourishment for all. Food Rescue Alliance is a nonprofit organization whose goal is to create a more just and less wasteful food system. They redistribute food “waste” to agencies who serve hungry, homeless and low-income individuals while educating communities about food justice. Food To Power aims to reduce food waste while increasing food access to cultivate a healthy, equitable food system in the greater Colorado Springs community. The Colorado Food Systems Coalition is a group of several organizations that work to strengthen healthy food access for all Coloradans while supporting Colorado agriculture, communities and economies. The Growing Project: Food Finders addresses food insecurity by making fresh, nourishing, regional food more accessible to all. UpRoot Colorado reduces surplus nutrient-dense food in Colorado, supports the resilience of farmers, and increases the nutritional security of state residents. Valley Roots Food Hub is an aggregating, marketing, and customer service link between local food producers and local food buyers. Wasted Food Solutions for Denver, Colorado - Engaging Denver Restaurants for Increased Food Donation Activity is a report that outlines current successes and opportunities to further food redistribution activities within the food business and food recovery sectors in Denver. We Don’t Waste collects excess food from venues, caterers, restaurants, and other food purveyors and distributes the food to Denver’s under-served populations.
Montana	Great Bear Foundation holds a seasonal gleaning program to feed good food to people while protecting the local bear population. Grow Montana is a broad-based food policy coalition that promotes community economic development and education policies that support sustainable Montana-owned food production, processing, and distribution, and that improve everyone’s access to healthy Montana foods. Helena Community Gardens builds gardens, provides the tools and knowledge to grow food, and increases access to healthy and affordable food. Montana Food Bank Network is a nonprofit that works to end hunger in Montana through food acquisition and distribution, education and advocacy. Montana Sustainable Growers Union is a group of local farmers who all farm within a 75 mile radius of Missoula and market in the state to promote buying homegrown goods. Vindeket Foods works in the Fort Collins community, empowering individuals to participate in the consumption of economically and environmentally sustainable foods
North Dakota	Holy Cross Daily Bread Food Bank Hunger Free North Dakota Garden Project addresses hunger in North Dakota by encouraging farmers and gardeners to plant an extra acre or row of produce and donate that fresh produce to food pantries, soup kitchens, and other charitable community programs. Great Plains Food Bank works to end hunger in North Dakota and western Minnesota through community partnerships.
South Dakota	Feeding South Dakota (multiple chapters) works to eliminate hunger in South Dakota communities, distributing food to those in need and advocating at the state and federal level on behalf of those who are hungry.
Utah	The Utah Food Bank Grocery Rescue Program is a business alliance between the Utah Food Bank and Utah retailers that provides a safe and efficient donation outlet for food. The Utah Food Recovery Network recovers meals from college dining halls and delivers them to local partners to distribute to the community. Wasatch Food Waste Recovery works with hotels, restaurants, and other food businesses to turn food waste into energy through anaerobic digestion.
Wyoming	Hole Food Rescue is a nonprofit organization that works to reduce food waste and food insecurity in their community. Wyoming Food Bank of the Rockies provides food and supplies to more than 500 hunger-relief programs.

EPA Region 9: Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Guam, and American Samoa

State	State Environmental Agency Resource and Key Contacts	Local Food Recovery Guides
Arizona	Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Waste Programs: Solid Waste Section J.B. Shaw (602) 771-5613 [email protected]	Local Food Recovery Guide for Phoenix
California	California's Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) Organic Materials Management Tim Hall (916) 341-6175 [email protected]	Local Food Recovery Guide for the Bay Area Local Food Recovery Guide for Los Angeles Local Food Recovery Guide for San Diego area
Hawaii	Hawaii Department of Health Office of Solid Waste Management Travis Hiramoto (808) 586-4226 [email protected]	Local Food Recovery Guide for Honolulu
Nevada	Nevada Division of Environmental Protection: Bureau of Sustainable Materials Management Alexandra (Ali) Szabo [email protected]	Local Food Recovery Guide for Las Vegas Local Food Recovery Guide for Reno

EPA Region 10: Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington

Below are links to state environmental agencies, nonprofit organizations and universities that provide information about composting, recycling, food rescue, source reduction, food donation and waste reduction in Region 10 states:

The following links exit the site

State	State Environmental Agency Resources	Additional Resources and Information
Alaska	Division of Environmental Health Solid Waste Program	Food Bank of Alaska - the Alaska affiliate of Feeding America
Idaho	Department of Environmental Quality Solid Waste Rules and Regulations Department of Environmental Quality Pollution Prevention Guidelines	Boise area - Rolling Tomato collects and redistributes surplus food City of Boise - information on curbside compost collection The Idaho Foodbank - the Idaho affiliate of Feeding America
Oregon	Department of Environmental Quality Environmental Impacts of Food Waste Management Oregon 2050 Vision for Materials Management	City of Beaverton - guidelines on preventing wasted food City of Eugene - Commercial Food Waste Collection and Residential Food Waste Collection City of Gresham - guidelines on preventing wasted food City of Portland - information on garbage, recycling and composting Farmers Ending Hunger - a partnership of farmers, food processors, and Oregon Food Bank, with the goal of eliminating hunger in Oregon by increasing the amount of high-quality food available to local communities Marion County - take the pledge to “Save the Food” Oregon Food Bank - the Oregon affiliate of Feeding America Oregon Metro - guidelines on food donation and composting Oregon School Food Share Program Guide (pdf) (5.54 MB) may help prevent and minimize wasted food in schools and redirect consumable food to those who need it through a replicable model for school food recovery Washington County - guidelines on preventing wasted food
Washington	Department of Ecology’s recommendations for food waste prevention	City of Issaquah - composting Too Good to Waste City of Seattle - composting guidelines City of Tacoma - Food Too Good to Waste Clallam County - food waste reduction and gleaning Food Lifeline - the Western Washington affiliate of Feeding America Harvest Against Hunger - works with farmers, truckers, and volunteers to bring valuable skills and resources to hunger relief efforts Harvest Pierce County - information on gleaning, food donation and community gardening King County - Food Too Good to Waste Operation Sack Lunch - rescues and redistributes high quality, nutritional meals and meal ingredients throughout the Seattle area Seattle Tilth - learn to be a Master Composter Second Harvest Inland Northwest - the Eastern Washington affiliate of Feeding America Thurston County - Food Too Good to Waste Washington Organic Recycling Council - a nonprofit organization that focuses on the sustainable reclamation, reuse and recycling of organic materials Washington School Food Share Toolkit may help prevent and minimize wasted food in schools and redirect consumable food to those who need it through a replicable model for school food recovery Washington State Recycling Association - a nonprofit organization that supports waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting Whatcom County - composting guidelines

Resources Relevant to All Regions

AmpleHarvest.org works with those who grow food to donate their excess harvest to a registered local food pantry.
Farm Gleaning Organization Locator by State: This site provides an interactive map of gleaning and fresh food recovery organizations across the country and information on national and state laws and regulations pertaining to gleaning and food donation, and other topical resources.
Feeding America is the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization. Their network of food banks, pantries and meal programs serve virtually every community in the United States. Find a food bank or pantry near you.
Food Pantry Locator is a source of food pantry locations and hours.
Food Connect helps organizations with excess food find local charities who can use the food.
Food Recovery Network mobilizes college volunteers to donate surplus food to surrounding local communities.
Food Rescue Locator has a live interactive map of food rescue organizations.
The Institute for Local Self-Reliance provides helpful resources, infographics, and tips for home and community composting.
MEANS (Matching Excess And Needs for Stability) Database is an online platform connecting those with excess food, like grocery stores, co-ops, and restaurants, with nearby emergency food providers who serve those in need.
Organics Recovery Program Development Tool for Colleges and Universities assists post-secondary institutions with organizing new or expanding existing organics recovery programming with a special focus on composting. (Environmental Finance Center (EPA) and University of Louisville).
Target Organics – A Compost Program Resource Hub.
U.S. Composting Council provides resources on composting.
U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Loss and Waste website.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration Food Loss and Waste website.