Vermont’s Universal Recycling Law Feeds Hungry Vermonters
WHAT: Partners to highlight how the landmark Universal Recycling Law diverts food from the landfill and directs high-quality food to people, helping Vermonter’s address hunger security in a cost-effective and innovative way. Vermont Foodbank donations are up significantly as a result of July 2015 benchmark.
WHEN: Tuesday, September 22, 2015 at 11:30am
WHERE Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf, 228 North Winooski Ave., Burlington, VT 05401
WHO: Secretary Deb Markowitz, Agency of Natural Resources
John Sayles, CEO, Vermont Foodbank
Paul Dragon, Director of Policy and Planning, Agency of Human Services
Ben Theriault, Director of Operations for Vermont, Hannaford Supermarket
Allison Weinhagen, Director of Community Engagement, City Market (or John Tashiro – General Manager)
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
· Act 148, Vermont’s Universal Recycling Law, was passed unanimously by the Vermont Legislature in 2012.
· Provisions of the law take effect over time beginning in 2014 and stretching all the way to 2020.
· Since July 2015, when requirements for food diversion took effect for medium-sized institutions under Vermont’s Universal Recycling Law, the Vermont Foodbank has seen a 24% increase in food donations from retailers over last year.
· Vermont’s law adopts a food recovery hierarchy which prioritizes food diversion to its highest and best uses.
· Capturing high-quality food and diverting it to food rescue has resulted in a significant increase in food donations to emergency food shelves.
United States