EC Digest
Spring 2014: Issue 2
San Juan Dining Food Waste Audit 

On January 22, 2014, students from the Environmental Center partnered with Sodexo (with the help of some amazing volunteers) to conduct a food waste audit at FLC's San Juan Dining Hall in the Student Union. For the entire day, volunteers collected all post-consumer waste (waste left on customer's plates) and tracked the total waste for the day. 

 

Here are some numbers of what they found:

0.71 lbs of waste per person per day
56% of the waste produced is edible food waste
391.5 lbs of total waste in the day

Using these numbers, we estimate that @ FLC we produce:

1,912 lbs of edible food waste in a week
30,592 lbs of edible waste in a semester
30 tons of edible waste in an academic year. 

That's a lot of waste! Much of that waste heads to our Rocket Composter but the rest is thrown away and reaches landfills where it releases methane gas - a contributor to climate change. 

In the upcoming weeks, the EC will be using this data to work with Sodexo and customers to try to improve education around food waste AND find solutions for waste reduction. 

Speaking of food: February is chock full of food-related events. Read all about them below!
In This Issue
Events
 
Real Food Challenge Chowdown
Wed, Feb 12: Lunch & Dinner
@ San Juan Dining, Fort Lewis College
 
A monthly meal showcasing foods that have been sourced locally, are produced using ecologically-sound methods such as organics or permaculture, food that is fair to the workforce producing it, as well as, food that is sourced from humanely-treated animals. For more information, contact Real Food Challenge student coordinator, Larrissa Mexican at [email protected] or contact the Fort Lewis College Environmental Center at 970-247-7091. 
 

 

Seed Labeling and Packaging Event
Sun, Feb 16: 10am to 4pm 

@ 140 East 29th Street, Durango

 

The Southwest Seed Library is hosting a Seed Labeling and Packaging Event. This event is open to the public, where we will be labeling and packaging seeds to set up the library's inventory. This 6 hour event will be split into two hour shifts, so please feel free to come when you are available. Additionally during this event, we will give a presentation on the need for local, experienced seed growers. We hope to see you there! For more information call  970-426-9993.

 
Local Food Spring Series: "Fishy Foods: The Impact of GMOs"
Thur, Feb 20: 5:30pm 
@ Local Linda's Cafe
 
The Environmental Center's Local Food Team and Linda's Local Food Caf� have come together to host a "Spring Series" aimed at connecting FLC students and the community to their food system through education on a diversity of food related topics. The first talk will be give by Dr. Becky Clausen on the impacts of GMOs. Space is limited, please contact Rachel Giersch to RSVP

2014 Homegrown Food Retreat
Sat, Feb 21 & Sun, Feb 22
@ Student Union Ballroom: Fort Lewis College

Save the Date for the 6th Annual Homegrown Food Retreat. To  find out more information and signup head to http://www.growingpartners.org/2014-homegrown-food-retreat.html

Animas SDS Divestment Brunch

Sun, Feb 23: 11am

@ Cascade Room, FLC

 

The organization Animas SDS is hosting a free brunch potluck and all interested attendees are encouraged to share a dish or take some food while learning about fossil fuel divestment.  Students and community members will be able to become connected to a social change movement happening at over 500 institutions globally, one that is making a huge impact with fun friends and fantastic food..  This event is open to all.

 

Seed Exchange and Dorm Window Gardens Workshop

March 17th 8 PM

@ Camp Hall at Fort Lewis College. 

 

Introduction to seed saving presentation, dorm culinary/herbal tea/greens window gardens from re-purposed material on campus workshop, Seed exchange, free door prizes!

 
Campus Housing Recycling Survey

The Environmental Center is seeking resident's perspectives on the current campus housing recycling program. The survey only takes 5-10 minutes and you will be eligible for PRIZES
 

 

*only for those currently living in campus housing at FLC* 

 

Survey closes on Friday, Feb 7th. 

 
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