‘Collaborative Food Rescue Project to Prevent Food Waste and Increase Food Security’ Underway

This is a press release from the City of Arcata:

The City of Arcata is partnering with Food for People, Humboldt State University (HSU), and the City of Eureka on a collaborative food rescue project to prevent food waste and establish food security across multiple jurisdictions in Humboldt County.

Last year, the project was awarded a $163,657 grant from CalRecycle’s 2019 Food Waste Prevention and Recovery Grant Program through California Climate Investments. The goal of this program is to recover food that would otherwise be sent to the landfill and help feed Californians experiencing food-insecurity.

Work on this project has begun and other efforts will commence this Spring. Specific components of the project include:

 Reducing food waste landfilled in Arcata and Eureka by 42 tons annually.

 Food donation education for local businesses in the food service industry, HSU community and other institutions.

 Efforts to increase food donors committed to food waste prevention.

 The launch of a software app to facilitate a rapid response for the distribution of rescued food.

 Infrastructure improvements for HSU’s Oh SNAP! Program.

 Implementing a food donation tracking system on HSU campus.

 Equipment for HSU Dining Services to implement cold storage of leftovers, which will allow for more food to be donated and distributed to food-insecure students.

 Food for People cold storage upgrades to increase capacity and improve energy efficiency.

Community members who own or manage a local food service business, grocery store, institutional cafeteria, residential rental complex, catering or event planning service, or any other organization that serves food who have interest in diverting food waste by making a food donation are asked to contact Food for People’s Food Rescue & Recovery Coordinator at (707) 825-2153 or by emailing [email protected].

To learn more about the City of Arcata’s Environmental Programs, please contact the Environmental Services Department at (707) 822-8184 or email [email protected].