Happy Food Waste Prevention Week!
You probably know that a million pounds of food waste comes to the Franklin County Landfill every single day, and that a typical family of four spends $2,000 a year on food that they never eat. All of that not only wastes the food itself, but also all of the resources that went into growing, storing, transporting, and preparing that food, and food waste is the largest single category of waste that comes to the landfill.
Fortunately, SWACO has tips and tools to help cut food waste, from the Save More Than Food website with all kinds of resources like about how to shop smart, use or store leftovers, and to get started composting to the more-than 30 food waste drop-off sites around Franklin County where you can take organics to be composted. We’re even opening new drop-off sites in the coming weeks downtown for the first time at the Columbus Commons. Read on to learn more about how SWACO is working throughout the community on this important issue.
SWACO Helps Schools Cut Waste
As summer ends and students are back in class, SWACO is excited to have started two new programs for schools. The School Share Table and School Food Waste Champion programs help schools reduce the amount of food that comes to the landfill. What is a share table? A share table allows students to reduce their food waste at school by creating an opportunity for them to offer unopened cafeteria food items to other students. SWACO even offers schools a share table kit with a rolling cart, signage, cooler, ice pack, and other guidance.
The School Food Waste Champion program helps schools start a food waste composting program. SWACO reimburses nine months of new compost hauling, and provides signage and containers as well as technical assistance. It’s a great compliment to the existing School Recycling Champion program in which schools also receive hauling reimbursement, signage, and other assistance.
If you know someone who works in a school district that might be interested in joining one or all of the SWACO School Champions programs, please forward this newsletter or click HERE to learn more.
Community Spotlight: Columbus City Schools
Freezing food is a great way to prevent food waste. It allows you to stop food from spoiling and keeps it at its peak freshness. If you have extra tomatoes from your garden, put them in a container, label them and place them in the freezer to enjoy later. Freezing leftovers in individual portions allows you to have meals prepared and ready to go. By freezing food, you can save money and reduce food waste. Click to read more practical tips for freezing food.
Fresh Takes Tip: The Freezer Is Your Friend
Freezing food is a great way to prevent food waste. It allows you to stop food from spoiling and keeps it at its peak freshness. If you have extra tomatoes from your garden, put them in a container, label them and place them in the freezer to enjoy later. Freezing leftovers in individual portions allows you to have meals prepared and ready to go. By freezing food, you can save money and reduce food waste. Click to read more practical tips for freezing food.
Fresh Takes Recipe: Apple Sauce
Apple season is here! Whether you go apple picking or purchase them from a grocery store, apples are a healthy snack. Apples keep well in the refrigerator, but when they start getting a little soft or turn a bit brown, don’t throw them away, it’s time to make applesauce. Applesauce can be stored in the refrigerator, freezer, or canned. You can portion it into individual servings for snacks on-the-go or in larger portions for a side dish during a meal. Additional Tip: Have other fruits that are about to go bad? Add them to your apple sauce or freeze them for later use! Click HERE for the recipe and cooking video.
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Food Storage Guide 
Should onions be stored next to potatoes? Can celery be frozen? What’s the best way to store cheese? Learn how to store different foods to help them last as long as possible. Click to view the guide.
Community Food Waste Drop-Offs
Keep food scraps out of the landfill by dropping them off at one of the many Food Waste Drop Off locations around Franklin County. Click to find one near you.
Business Champions
Own a business and want to start recycling or composting. SWACO has a program to help you get started and recognized for meeting these sustainability goals. Click to learn more.
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SWACO Resources
SWACO is here to help! At SaveMoreThanFood.org, you’ll find resources for home, work, school, restaurants, businesses, and the community. To ask questions email [email protected].
