UMaine Press Releases and FRM Talks

Food Rescue MAINE Webinars and Talks

FRM Media Advisaries

April 8, 2021 

Contact: Joan Perkins, joan.perkins@maine.edu 

The Senator George J. Mitchell Center at the University of Maine will host the first annual Food Waste Solutions Summit via Zoom from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Friday, April 9.

Media are invited to join the summit as Angel Veza of ReFED provides data to frame the food waste problem nationally and in Maine, U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree offers an overview of relevant federal policies and legislation, a panel of local leaders describe their successful food recycling and rescue efforts, and Mitchell Center student interns host “how-to” sessions for participants to explore specific food waste solutions and strategies.  

Susanne Lee, faculty fellow at UMaine’s Mitchell Center, organized and will lead the summit. Visit the Mitchell Center website for the Zoom link and more information. 

To arrange an interview with Lee, please contact Joan Perkins, joan.perkins@maine.edu.

April 21, 2021 

Contact: Joan Perkins, joan.perkins@maine.edu 

The town of Winslow will launch a new food recycling program at 5:30 p.m. on Earth Day, April 22, in partnership with the Senator George J. Mitchell Center at the University of Maine, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Kennebec Valley Council of Governments. 

Media are invited to join municipal officials and children from Winslow public schools at the library at 136 Halifax Street as the town installs new food recycling bins to jump start their community food waste reduction program.

At 6 p.m., DEP organics management specialist Mark King will offer a presentation, “What is Food Recycling?” Those who attend the presentation will receive a free composting bucket to collect food waste in their homes.

Winslow is the first municipality to launch a food recycling pilot program with the Mitchell Center and the DEP, although Waterville and a coalition of Fayette, Readfield and Wayne will introduce similar programs later this year. Winslow will complement community food recycling efforts with school activities and educational materials designed by Mitchell Center students and staff.

For more information about Thursday’s event, contact Erica LaCroix, Winslow town manager, 207.872.2776; elacroix@winslow-me.gov.

Susanne Lee, faculty fellow at UMaine’s Mitchell Center, is spearheading the statewide food recycling education campaign with funding from the DEP’s waste diversion grants program.