Edible Food Recovery: Involving and Serving the Community
PRESENTATION TOPIC
ORGANICS
UNIVERSITIES/ZERO WASTE CAMPUSES
Session Description
INDIVIDUAL SPEAKER
Speakers
Erin Meyer, University of California, Merced
Title
Sustainable Food Programs Coordinator
Speaker Biography
Erin Meyer is the Sustainable Food Programs Coordinator at the University of California, Merced. She oversees a variety of food rescue and sustainable food programs including, Food Connect, the Bobcat Eats Food Waste Awareness and Prevention Program, the Pop-Up People's Pantry, the People's Fridge and more.
Abstract Title
Edible Food Recovery: Involving and Serving the Community
Speaker Abstract
The Bobcat Eats Food Waste Awareness and Prevention Program is a food rescue program at the University of California, Merced. Food is rescued from cafes, grocery stores, flea markets and farmers' markets. A majority of this food is then used to stock our new community fridge, the People's Fridge, or is distributed at our Pop-Up People's Pantry. The community is involved by encouraging volunteerism, but also by encouraging them to donate their surplus food to the programs, specifically our community fridge. Participants of this session will learn about circular community driven food rescue programs which rescues food to sustain community programs.