Maine Food Waste Solutions Summit 2022

UMaine Alert

Posted: April 19, 2024 - 1:32 PM

At approximately 9:24 a.m. on Friday, April 19, a University of Maine graduate student was struck by a university vehicle on Long Road at the University of Maine campus in Orono. The student reports that they are at a local hospital with minor injuries.

Emergency services, including the Orono Fire Department, University Volunteer Ambulance Corps, University of Maine Police Department, Orono Police Department and Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

The university vehicle involved in the incident was a Chevrolet Express van. It was being operated by a university employee.

Counseling services and support are available for students, faculty or staff who may have been affected. The Counseling Center can be reached at 207-581-1392 and the Dean of Students Office can be reached at 207-581-1406.

The scene has been cleared and Long Road is now accessible. An investigation is being conducted by the University of Maine Police Department with assistance from the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit. Any witnesses to the incident are encouraged to contact Lt. Noel Santiago at noel.santiago@maine.edu.

Improving Maine’s Food System

A recording of this year’s summit is now available on YouTube.

Friday, April 15, 2022
9am – 12pm

Click here for an “At-a-Glance” Agenda

If you have any questions or need more information, please contact Susanne Lee

The Maine Food Waste Solutions Summit is Maine’s annual food waste event that brings together our state’s key food system participants—farms, food businesses, feeding partners, community leaders, government and nonprofit organizations. Working together, we can move to a circular food system where food is highly valued and never wasted. This vision for Maine’s food system will equitably deliver economic, social, and environmental/climate benefits for all Maine people!

Summit Highlights

Keynote Speakers
- Angel Veza, ReFED
- Congresswoman Chellie Pingree
Keynote Panel – Why Stop Food Waste?
Maine Food Waste Success Stories
Student Intern Updates: Maine Food Waste Solution Pilots
Food Waste Solution Workshops: How to Get Started

Summit Opening

Welcome:
David Hart, Director, Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions

Importance of Maine Food Waste Solutions Work:
Paula Clark, Director, Division of Materials Management – Maine Department of Environmental Protection

Summit Overview and Introductions
Susanne Lee, Faculty Fellow, Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions: Food Waste Program

Keynote Presentations: The Food Waste Problem

9:10AM – Keynote: Food Waste Problem & Solutions – U.S. & Maine Data Solutions Update

Presented by Angel Veza, Senior Manager, Capital Innovation & Engagement for ReFED (Rethink Food Waste through Economics & Data), the national non-profit working to end food waste across the U.S. food system using data-driven solutions.
Angel will explain the problem of food waste, the key solutions, and the progress being made in U.S. and Maine.

9:25AM – Keynote: Food Waste Solutions – Federal Policy

Presented by Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, U.S. Representative for Maine’s 1^st congressional district and a leading advocate for federal policies to support agriculture and end food waste.
Chellie will explain the current national bi-partisan legislative solutions being proposed and how you can help.

9:40AM – Keynote Panel: Why Stop Food Waste? Q&A Discussion

A panel of experts will discuss the economic, social, and environmental benefits that make preventing food waste so important. This audience Q&A session will ensure that everyone leaves with a better understanding of the need to end food waste today!

Moderator: David Cash, Regional Administrator – EPA Region 1

Panelists:

Dr. Ivan Fernandez, Climate & Soils Scientist, UMaine
Travis Blackmer, Economist, UMaine
Ryan Parker, Director, Food Corps

Sessions: Maine Food Waste Solutions – How can we take action?

10:10AM – Maine Success Stories

A panel presents examples of their innovative yet practical Maine “triple bottom line” food waste solutions to share with Maine households, communities, businesses, and legislators. An audience Q&A session will follow – some come with your questions!

Moderators:

Pips Veazey, Director, Portland Gateway, UMaine
Ashley Forbes, Foster Center for Innovation, UMaine

Panelists:

Commissioner Randy Liberty, Maine Dept. Of Corrections
Nick Jackson, Jackson Regenerational Farm
Dixie Shaw, Aroostook County Director, Catholic Charities
Troy Moon, Sustainability Director, City of Portland

10:45AM – Student Updates: Current Maine Food Waste Pilots

Mitchell Center student interns present specific Maine food waste pilots developed with key stakeholders to test solutions and evaluate “triple bottom line” benefits.

Reduce – Tracking & Measuring Food Waste, Ryan Fitzmaurice, UMaine
Recover – Food Donation & Food Rescue, Ariana Walker, UNE
Recover – Maine Farm Food Infrastructure, William Dunham, UMaine
Recycle – Community Food Recycling, Ellie Hunt, UMaine
Community Education, Hannah Crayton, Thomas College
Social Media, Kalina Kinyon, UMaine
Youth & School Education, Hannah Mathieu, UMaine
Food Rescue MAINE Website, Hannah Mathieu, UMaine

11:15AM – Food Waste Solution Workshops – How to Get Started

Track & Measure Food Waste: Home, Business (MC Hosts: Ryan Fitzmaurice, Michael Haedicke – Faculty)
Food Donation & Food Rescue (MC Hosts: Ariana Walker, Mark Pires – Faculty)
Maine Circular Food System GIS Map (MC Hosts: Jesse Minor – Faculty, Courtney Baker, Lucas Blom)
Community Food Recycling (MC Hosts: Ellie Hunt, Travis Blackmer – Faculty)
Community Education & Action (MC Hosts: Hannah Crayton, Kalina Kinyon, Susanne Lee)
Youth Education & Action (MC Hosts: Hannah Mathieu, Brie Berry – Faculty)

11:45AM – Summit Finale: Maine Food Waste Solutions – Next Steps

Solution Workshop Progress Reports
Expansion of Maine Food Waste Solutions
Upcoming Food Waste Solution Events and Activities