According to Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, food waste accounts for 22% of the State’s waste. Seventy percent of that food is edible and could feed the one in eight residents who are facing hunger. Feeding hungry people ranks as the second highest priority for reducing the environmental impact of wasted food, much higher than composting.
The Town of Mansfield is addressing this issue by offering Mansfield restaurants and catered events free transport of unserved leftovers to the Covenant Soup Kitchen in Willimantic. A pool of volunteers are on hand to pick up donations of leftover food. The Mansfield Recycling Coordinator is coordinating donation requests with volunteers.
To make donations, contact Mansfield Recycling Coordinator, Virginia Walton at 860-429-3333 or waltonvd@mansfieldct.org.