Woodbridge expands food-rescue and composting; schools feed food waste into biogas process

At the Division of Sustainability presentation, staff described several waste-reduction and food-security programs that connect restaurants, schools and community gardens.

Sharon McAuliffe, First Ward councilwoman, and Carolyn Erlic described how local restaurants donate leftover bagels and other food to food pantries and how a 'restaurant rescue' program helps package surplus prepared food for donation. Carolyn said the town stores rescued food in a donated freezer at Woodbridge Nights before distribution.

Thomas Flynn said all town schools now separate food waste; the collected material is sent to a facility where it is processed into biogas and the resulting energy is returned to the grid. Staff also said compost drop-off sites have been expanded to Acacia and Henry Inman, and Henry Inman provides jugs so residents can collect and turn in cooking oil.

Presenters described partnerships with community gardens that accept compost and produce donated back to food pantries. They invited volunteers to help with garden planting and with a summer program planting at Clinton Park.