Washington County Food Waste Program Honored

The "Eat Smart, Waste Less Challenge" organized by Washington County Master Recycler volunteers and he cities of Beaverton and Gresham has been honored by the Association of Oregon Recyclers.

The group gave the program its Recycler of the Year award in the education and promotion program category.

“Households can make small shifts in how they shop, prepare and store food to reduce food waste,” says Brian Stafki, senior program educator for Washington County Solid Waste & Recycling Program and project manager of the campaign. “The campaign is designed to help people understand why preventing food waste matters, give them an opportunity to take action, provide free tools to make a difference, and offer follow-up support through weekly emails and a Facebook group.”

The program reached more than 2,500 people at public events and group presentations over the last 14 months as part of a joint campaign to reduce household food waste. 

Nearly 32 percent pledged to waste less food through the Eat Smart, Waste Less Challenge, according to Washington County.

“We are excited to take the work we conducted last year and reach out to more residents this next year, including Latino communities,” says Shaunna Sutcliffe-Shadle, residential program coordinator for the City of Gresham. “This is a universal topic that cuts across cultural and language barriers.”

The program is looking to expand to Clackamas County.