Milan, Ill. Everyone has a role to play when it comes to keeping food out of the landfill. Feel good about your personal habits and keep more money in your pocket. Extension educators will highlight techniques to help you reduce food waste at home and also start vermicomposting.
Anywhere food is made, food waste occurs. “Small amounts of waste add up over time which could be costing you more than you realize,” says Kristin Bogdonas, nutrition and wellness educator, University of Illinois Extension. The average person tosses one pound of food per day which adds up to thousands of dollars each year per household.
Food waste is the most common material found in U.S. landfills but it doesn’t have to be! There are many techniques related to planning, preparation and storage that can help reduce food waste at home.
No-Waste Kitchen Techniques and Composting Methods will take place from 6 to 7 p.m. Wed April 7 at the Extension office in Milan, Ill. This workshop will cover food planning, preparation and storage techniques to help you reduce food waste at home in addition to backyard/home composting methods. Composting utilizes food waste, bypassing the landfill, and provides you with a rich, organic substance for your gardens and landscapes. Register by April 6 to reserve your spot, space is limited. You can also tune in via Zoom, registration required. Free to attend.
Vermicomposting Bin Make-n-Take will take place from 6 to 7 p.m. Thurs April 29 at the Extension office in Milan, Ill. Are you ready to start composting? Join Ill Extension for a make-n-take workshop and learn about vermicomposting; using worms to decompose organic food waste, turning the waste into a nutrient-rich material for use in your garden and potted plants. You will go home with a vermicomposting bin, one pound of red wrigglers (composting worms) and instructions on how to care for and maintain your worm bin throughout the year. Register by April 9 to reserve your spot. $15 per person. Funding for this program is provided in part by a Quad Cities Community Foundation Disaster Recovery grant.
“Composting is a smart way to turn food waste into nutrient-rich material for your garden and potted plants, says Martha Smith, horticulture educator, Ill Extension. “Learn more about the different methods of composting in the first workshop and then make your own worm bin in the second workshop so you can start composting your food scraps right away.”
Space is limited for these events so register early. For more information and to register for one or both workshops, visit go.illinois.edu/FoodRescue.
Contact: Kristin Bogdonas, Nutrition and Wellness Educator, University of Illinois Extension
If you will need an accommodation in order to participate, please email kmbogdo@illinois.edu. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs.
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