(WAND) - The U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing about $11.5 million in 38 cooperative agreements that work to support innovative, scalable waste management plans to reduce and divert food waste from landfills.
This will include two projects in Illinois, including one in Decatur.
The Composting and Food Waste Reduction cooperative agreements, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, are part of USDA’s goal of supporting 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.
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 for Illinois.
Scott Halpin, State Executive Director for Farm Service Agency said, “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:
- City of Decatur: Government Pride of the Prairie Food Waste Composting Plan
- Board of Education of City of Chicago: CPS District-Wide Composting Project
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