Goshen, N.Y. - Orange County’s Division of Environmental Facilities and Services (DEFS) and Department of Planning will join local community organizations, schools, and businesses to promote food waste recycling at the Orange County Food Security and Sustainability Initiative (OCFSS) at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, March 31st at Downing Park Urban Farm, located at 207 Carpenter Avenue in Newburgh.
“The County is proud to have developed new initiatives promoting food waste diversion and composting, which has reduced waste sent to landfills and improved local soil,” Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus said. “By taking these steps, we can reduce the use of fertilizer and pesticides, improve water quality and protect the environment.”
The event will feature presentations about the benefits of food scraps recycling and how it can be implemented. Featured speakers will include representatives from the Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners Program, Newburgh Free Academy Zero Waste Club, Sustainable Warwick, Grow Local Greenwood Lake, and Newburgh Urban Farm and Food Initiative (NUFFI). There will also be a Q and A and a tour of the NUFFI composting site at Downing Park Urban Farm at the end of the forum.
The event will also have a food truck and guests over the age of 21 will be provided a free beverage coupon for Newburgh Brewery. A raffle will also be held with a chance to win a home composter or rainwater collection barrel.
For more information, call 845-291-3246 or email esiljkovic@orangecountygov.com.
###