http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/environment-jan-june14-foodwaste-01-26/
Five generations of Tabbs have farmed in Jefferson County, WV on what was once primarily a dairy farm. The present operation, Lyle C. Tabb & Sons, is far more diversified. The Tabbs combine raising grain, using no-till planting, and maintaining a 500 head herd of antibiotic and hormone-free Angus cattle with running an innovative composting operation. Food scraps, yard waste and manure are collected and recycled in an organic, sustainable system which yields first-rate compost.
PBS took notice of the Tabbs' award-winning farm because of an unusual collaboration. Five years ago the Tabbs began working with the food service department of the local Veteran's Administration hospital in Martinsburg, WV to create a food waste management system.
This collaboration has dramatically reduced food waste at the VA, every week recycling into compost hundreds of pounds of leftover food scraps once destined for the landfill. The food and nutrition manager estimates saving more than $50,000 by tracking types of food not consumed and adjusting her purchases.
With more than 40% of all the food produced in this country going to waste, according to PBS, it seems likely that all of us, from farms to suburbs and inner city dwellers, can look for ways to make a difference in our own practices and encourage the big players to take a harder look at theirs.
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