February 12, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing approximately $11.5 million in 38 cooperative agreements that support innovative, scalable waste management plans to reduce and divert food waste from landfills. This includes a food waste composting plan in Decatur.
The Composting and Food Waste Reduction cooperative agreements, which are funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, are part of USDA’s broad support for urban agriculture. The program is jointly administered by USDA’s Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The recommended projects will be implemented between now and 2026.
“These Composting and Food Waste Reduction projects help communities reduce food waste and greenhouse gas emissions,” said Tammy Willis, State Conservationist of USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for Illinois.
Scott Halpin, State Executive Director for Farm Service Agency: “Local strategies and tools like these are important climate solutions and also contribute to food security at the community level here in Illinois.”
Recipients include projects in 23 states. Projects in Illinois include the City of Decatur’s Pride of the Prairie Food Waste Composting Plan and the City of Chicago Board of Education District Wide Composting Project.
