2024 ReFED Food Waste Solutions Summit

Bioenergy Devco (BDC)

A field trip to the Maryland Bioenergy Center at Bioenergy Devco will showcase the advanced anaerobic digestion technology used to redirect food waste from landfills, land applications, and incineration. This enclosed microbial process transforms food waste into renewable energy and enriches the soil.

ECO City Farm & Compost Crew

ECO City Farm is a nonprofit urban teaching and learning farm in Prince George County that grows great food, farms and farmers in ways that protect, restore and sustain the natural environment and the health of local communities. Working with area children, youth and adults, ECO educates and trains the next generation of urban farmers and eaters.

Tour ECO City’s 13-year-old urban farm that produces healthy food for its low-income, low food access, majority Black and Latinx community on land that once housed 4 multifamily buildings and a parking lot. See the innovative Compost Outpost, a small scale ASP system that processes locally-sourced food waste and is a joint effort between ECO City and Compost Crew to produce compost and vermicompost.

• Visit ECO City Farm website here.
• Visit Compost Crew website here.

Food Rescue Baltimore & 4MyCiTy

Food Rescue Baltimore is a volunteer-driven organization dedicated to reducing food waste and ensuring equal access to nutritious food for those in need. They recover food from local distributors, farms and grocery stores, and distribute it their network through twelve weekly giveaway sites in struggling communities throughout Baltimore. 

4MyCiTy is committed to ending food waste through their four-phase sustainability model which focuses on feeding those in need, composting, biodegradables, and sustainability education. Their city-wide composting initiative currently has over 4,000 active participants, making it the largest and most comprehensive composting program in Baltimore.

Attendees will tour the facilities and learn about the Food Rescue Baltimore network and 4MyCiTy’s comprehensive sustainability operations. You will participate in daily operations which may include sorting food items, composting, managing supplies for our on-site giveaway, and making grocery bags for the 4MyCiTy delivery program.

• Visit the Food Rescue Baltimore website here.
• Visit the 4MyCiTy website here.

Great Kids Farm

Attendees will tour Great Kids Farm, the unique farm owned and operated by Baltimore City Public Schools Farm to School (F2S) team, and they will learn from the staff (and goats!) about their food systems educational programs that reach thousands of Baltimore City Public School students each year. F2S programs link to food waste directly by incorporating natural systems and compost (throughout farm-based and school-based programs), and by promoting openness to fresh produce, a commonly wasted element of school meals.

Maryland Food Bank

The Maryland Food Bank employs a team designated to the rescue of perfectly edible, nutritious food from statewide food retail and grocery stores. It also operates a Farm to Food Bank Program that focuses on field gleanings, donations, and contract growing. They are diverting food waste from landfills and wastewater treatment facilities to capture methane gas, and exploring flash-free options for select food items.

Attendees will volunteer in the food bank warehouse, preparing donated food items for distribution. Specific assignments will vary but include standing/walking for 2.5 hours, wearing close toed shoes, and dressing for the weather as the space is not climate controlled. Participants will sign waivers upon arrival.

Plantation Park Heights Urban Farm

“AgriHood Baltimore" is a thriving marketplace, community supported farming and urban agriculture training resource institute in NW Baltimore. This is a bold and ambitious initiative that aims to transform the food system in Baltimore City, with a focus on improving the health and well-being of all residents, particularly those in underserved communities. Attendees will tour the farm, composting operation, and onsite farmer’s market. Following the tour, you will be able to get your hands dirty if you want and help with farm operations such as planting or gardening projects.

Safeway

Attendees will see first-hand how Safeway stores divert edible food for donation and inedible food for diversion from landfill. The collection process from individual store departments will be highlighted as well as the food safety guidelines in place. Food waste diversion through the Divert process will be on display as well. Closed toe shoes with a slip-resistant heel, such as sneakers, are required.

Veteran Compost

Veteran Compost is a veteran-owned business focused on creating high quality compost and soil products in Maryland, DC and Virginia. They provide food scrap collection, finished compost, and a host of other great products. Tour the main facility which provides residential, commercial, and special event composting services and maintains a drop off service for residents. They also handle sustainable product de-packaging and destruction and provide consulting services to local businesses.