Panel Discussion:

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

●  Key challenges and opportunities in food procurement

●  Best practices for gleaning surplus from farms and suppliers

Food waste reduction begins at the source, where strategic procurement and gleaning practices can prevent surplus food from being discarded. This panel discussion will explore the key challenges and opportunities in food procurement, including balancing supply and demand, minimizing over-purchasing, and fostering supplier partnerships that prioritize waste reduction. Additionally, experts will share best practices for gleaning surplus from farms and suppliers, ensuring that excess food is redirected to those in need rather than wasted. Attendees will gain practical insights into implementing effective sourcing strategies and collaborating with local producers to create a more sustainable food system.

Christopher Perry, Recycling Education & Outreach Coordinator, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (Invited)

Christopher Perry is a planner with Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Waste Reduction and Recycling Program. He manages the Public Sector Recycling reporting program, the Recycling Business Assistance Center, and specializes in education and outreach through partnership initiatives including Florida State University's Sustainability Fellowships Program, Florida Food Recovery Coalition, and a variety of the department's campaigns to reduce food waste and increase recycling participation.

Megen McEwan, Florida Program Coordinator, Society of St. Andrew

Megan McEwen serves as the Florida Program Coordinator at the Society of St. Andrew, where she works to fight hunger, reduce food waste, and support equitable food distribution. Her role aligns with her deep passion for sustainability and faithful stewardship, as she helps connect communities with fresh, nutritious food through gleaning and food rescue initiatives.

Beyond her work with the Society of St. Andrew, Megan is dedicated to helping individuals cultivate a life rooted in purpose, wellness, and resourcefulness. Through social media content she shares her journey of living sustainably while embracing biblical principles of stewardship. She is committed to creating a community centered on education and practical steps toward sustainable living—whether through whole-food cooking, beginner gardening, financial stewardship, sustainable sewing, or budget-friendly home projects.

By merging her faith with action, Megan seeks to inspire others to be good stewards of their resources and to build a life of abundance through mindful, sustainable choices.

Dr. Anne Miller, Acting Executive Director, Community Harvest SRQ

Dr. Anne Miller first discovered gleaning as a volunteer with Transition Sarasota (now known as Community Harvest SRQ) over a decade ago.  It aligned with her desire to learn more about local food.  She continued to volunteer with the organization as a gleaner and later as part of the Eat Local Week planning committee. Community Harvest SRQ’s Eat Local Week is an annual celebration of the best of local food and farming. They offer events, including farm and garden tours, farm-to-fork dinners, workshops, educational programs, community discussions, and hands-on activities. Later she joined the Board of Directors. She now serves as Interim Executive Director as they seek out new leadership for the organization.

Anne and her husband have a 5-acre livestock farm in DeSoto County and she also teaches new farmers through the Sarasota IFAS Extension Small Farmers Startup School.  Since she is the daughter of a Vietnam Veteran and the proud mother of 2 Naval Nuclear Submariners, Anne also works with local Veterans groups that introduce Veterans to agriculture.