2024 ReFED Food Waste Solutions Summit
June 11-13, 2024 | Baltimore, MD
Baltimore Convention Center
Rob Cahill
Co-Founder
4DWN
Bio:
Rob Cahill is the visionary co-founder of 4DWN, a pioneering organization dedicated to creating sustainable solutions for food waste reduction. With a profound commitment to environmental stewardship and social impact, Rob has been instrumental in driving innovative strategies that transform surplus food into valuable resources for communities in need.
Under his leadership, 4DWN has become a beacon of change, employing cutting-edge technologies and community-driven initiatives to tackle food waste at its source. Rob's expertise spans across sustainable agriculture, food recovery systems, and circular economy principles, making him a sought-after speaker and thought leader in the field.
Rob holds a deep-seated belief in the power of collaboration and education to effect meaningful change. He has worked extensively with a diverse array of stakeholders, including government agencies, non-profit organizations, and private sector partners, to forge alliances that amplify the impact of food waste reduction efforts.
In addition to his work with 4DWN, Rob is an advocate for policy reform and public awareness, tirelessly working to influence legislation and inspire collective action towards a more sustainable and equitable food system. His passion for creating a zero-waste future and his innovative approach have earned him recognition as a trailblazer in the environmental and social entrepreneurship communities.
Rob Cahill's dedication to transforming the way we think about food waste and sustainability makes him an invaluable asset to any discussion on building a greener, more resilient future.
Schedule
Tuesday, June 11
4:00pm - 6:00pm
Documentary Screenings: 4DWN & Compost Fever
This session will showcase two documentary screenings followed by Q&A sessions, respectively. Both will be screened at the top of the hour : 4:00pm and 5:00pm.
4DWN: 4DWN tells the unconventional and deeply personal story of a South Dallas skatepark whose mission is to change the lives of everyone who walks through the gate. The 4DWN skatepark is a resilience hub rooted in skate culture, tackling the challenges of food insecurity and social justice in one of the city’s poorest communities.
4DWN is at once punk, irreverent, and authentic. But it’s also organic, nurturing, and profound. The magic of this skatepark-turned-urban farm is brought to life through a beautiful, intimate mixed-media approach that pays homage to the canon of skate films that came before it. 4DWN chronicles the past and present lives of the Park’s founders and one budding young skateboarder who finds kinship, camaraderie, and a reason to keep pushing.
Compost Fever: Compost Fever! is a compelling short film that follows two passionate composters in their battle for environmental justice. Their mission: to starve the Incinerator, enrich the soil, and nourish the community. Facing numerous challenges, they confront profiling and skepticism, yet turn these negatives into positives with a simple question: "Do you compost?"
Serving 10 Baltimore communities, they boast over 275 customers and diverted 24,000 tons of organic material from incineration last year alone. Through tours and workshops at South Baltimore's Wakanda, they've educated thousands of youth, setting a model for community composting in Baltimore City and beyond. This film arises from a community plagued by the highest pollution rates in the country. It seeks to spread "Compost Fever" through education, fighting toxic incinerators for clean air. Learn more about composting and environmental justice with the Baltimore Compost Collective. Join the movement and remember, "A rind is a terrible thing to waste!"