Goshen, N.Y. – On Friday July 19th, Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus and the County’s Department of Public Works, Division of Environmental Facilities and Services (DEFS) announced a series of new initiatives taking place at the Goshen Farmers’ Market to address the issues of food waste, supplying food to those in need, and composting efforts.
“According to the United States Department of Agriculture, 13 percent of Americans are vulnerable to food insecurity,” Neuhaus said. “Therefore, I have directed DEFS to work with Orange County Office of the Aging and to engage with food security agency RECAP to collaborate to try to alleviate this problem. Along with recovering food that is still edible, we must divert food scraps from our landfills that could help renew food producing soils.”
As part of an overall effort, an information station at the Goshen Farmers’ Market on Friday featured tips on meal planning, canning and preservation, and root-to-stalk cooking all of which prevent food waste. Orange County staff from a variety of departments will be on hand at the Goshen Farmers’ Market to collect food scraps, which will be composted locally at no cost to the public until the end of the season. Food scraps generated from businesses will not be accepted.
An additional component of this initiative will be a composter sale. The County will be selling compost bins at a reduced rate to residents. Bins will be available for purchase on-site as well as through orders placed at www.orangecompostersale.ecwid.com.
“Food waste is a complex and pressing issue and we want County residents to be aware of the potential environmental, economic, and social benefits of food waste prevention, edible food donation, and composting” said Bob Gray, the County’s Director of Environmental Facilities and Services.
For more information about the pilot initiative and what is accepted at the Goshen Farmers’ Market food scraps collection, please call the Orange County Recycling Coordinator at (845) 291-3246.
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