The Brief Milwaukee officials announced the launch of FEED MKE. The new effort will address food insecurity and food waste reduction. City of Milwaukee officials on Tuesday, Sept. 10 announced the launch of FEED MKE, a new effort to address food insecurity and food waste reduction. “The pilot project will address the inner-connected issues of food insecurity, waste reduction, landfill diversion and climate change,” said Environmental Sustainability Director Erick Shambarger. According to a press release, the United States Department of Agriculture provided $400,000 in funding through its Composting and Food Waste program to Milwaukee’s Environmental Collaboration Office. This will advance key elements of the city’s Climate and Equity Plan.
“The FEED MKE Pilot Project offers our city the opportunity to strengthen our economy by reducing waste, addressing hunger, and building programs that inspire hope,” Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said. A press release says the Environmental Collaboration Office will manage the two-year grant, administering the Food Excess, Equitable Distribution (FEED) MKE Pilot Project to reduce food waste at the beginning, middle, and end of the food preparation and consumption cycle; collect, glean, and prepare edible food material for redistributed consumption to hungry people; and increase participation in composting on an individual, neighborhood, and city-wide basis, according to a press release.
Food waste also contributes to water pollution and soil degradation. The economic impact of food waste is significant. Businesses and individuals alike face financial losses due to wasted food. This can be seen in the proper storage and handling of food, as well as in the inefficient use of resources.
These awards are designed to help organizations enhance their food recovery efforts by providing them with the funding and resources to: 1. increase efficiency and effectiveness, 2. improve food safety and handling, 3. expand their reach and impact, 4. strengthen community partnerships, and 5. develop new skills and knowledge.
Applications are open Sept. 10 through Nov. 22 at milwaukee.gov/FEEDMKEProject. The Source The City of Milwaukee provided the information for this report.