Food Recovery Forum Compost Tour
Sunday, April 6, 2025
Pre-Forum Compost Tour
The best way to learn about advancements in organics recycling is to visit a state-of-the-art compost facility.
We will be holding a Pre-Forum Compost Tour at Veransa's facility in Seffner, Florida. Veransa turns yard waste into valuable resources that nurture growth and enrich soil health.
Where:
Veransa
6727 County Road 579
Seffner, FL 33584
When:
Sunday, April 6, 2025
3:30 pm to 4:30 pm
How to Join:
Food Recovery Forum Agenda
Monday, April 7, 2025
8:30 am - 9:00 am
Registration
9:00 am – 9:15 am
Welcome and Overview of the Forum
Christopher Perry, Recycling Education & Outreach Coordinator, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (Invited)
9:15 am – 10:15 am:
Panel Discussion: Procurement and Gleaning: Reducing Food Waste
● Key challenges and opportunities in food procurement
● Best practices for gleaning surplus from farms and suppliers
Moderator: Christopher Perry, Recycling Education & Outreach Coordinator, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (Invited)
Panelists:
Megan McEwen, Florida Program Coordinator, Society of St. Andrew
Dr. Anne Miller, Acting Executive Director, Community Harvest SRQ
10:30 am – 11:30 am:
How to Donate Surplus Food Effectively
● Navigating donation regulations and liability
● Building partnerships with food banks and community organizations
Presenters:
Emily Grant, Director of Florida Operations, FoodRecovery.org
Karena Bozarth, Sustainability Manager, Food and Nutrition Services, Orange County Public Schools
11:30 am – 12:00 pm:
Material Circularity: Focusing on Lifecycle Benefits of Food Waste Composting
Dr. Malak Anshassi, Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Engineering, Florida Polytechnic University
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm:
Lunch and Networking
1:00 pm – 1:45 pm:
Composting as a Food Waste Solution
● Setting up a community or organizational composting program
● Leveraging compost for local agriculture
Moderator: Lauren O'Connor, Waste Registration Section, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (Invited)
Presenters:
Charlie Pioli, Founder, O-Town Compost
1:45 pm – 2:00 pm:
Coffee Break
2:00 pm – 2:45 pm:
Anaerobic Digestion as a Food Waste Solution
Patrick Serfass, Executive Director, American Biogas Council
● Overview of Anaerobic Digestion
● Why Food Waste?
2:45 pm – 3:00 pm:
Closing Remarks/Adjournment
Food Recovery Forum: Post-Forum Tours
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Post-Forum Tours
We are offering two post-Forum Tours for those that might like to know more about food recovery on local farms as well as information on organic farming.
See below for tour options/
Option 1: Wish Farms
Understanding the importance of food recovery on local farms is vital to enhance state recovery efforts. Join us at Wish Farms for a guided farm and packaging tour at Wish Farms in Plant City, FL.
Where:
Wish Farms
2262 Pixie Way
Plant City, FL 33563
When:
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
10:00am to 11:00am
What to Wear:
Closed toed shoes and no jewelry (a plain ring is fine), as well as a light jacket for the cooler. Wish Farms will provide hair/beard nets.
How to Join:
RSVP that you will be joining no later than March 31st.
RSVP that you will be joining to:
Gene Jones
850-386-6280
Upon RSVP Confirmation you will receive parking instructions and a sign-in QR code
Food Recovery Forum: Post-Forum Tours
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Option 2: Meacham Urban Farms
Join us for a guided farm tour at Meacham Urban Farm in the heart of Tampa, FL. You will learn about the history of the land, organic farming techniques and successful sustainable food production in an urban setting.
Where:
Meacham Urban Farm
1108 E Scott St
Tampa, FL 33603
Other Important Notes: On-site parking lot available with additional on-street parking on perimeter streets if necessary.
When:
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
11:00 am to 12:00 pm
What to Wear:
Closed toed shoes and sun protection.
How to Join:
RSVP that you will be joining no later than March 31st.
RSVP that you will be joining to:
Gene Jones
850-386-6280