There are great things going on all throughout Iowa to reduce food waste by feeding people instead of landfills, which is the focus of the first panel at the next month’s Food Rescue Workshop.

The FRP will be welcoming four experts that will present varying approaches to the issue of food rescue. Bob Andrlik from Table to Table will describe how his program helps to keep food as a resource, not a waste, along with how the Iowa City initiative got started.

From the middle of Iowa, Aubrey Alvarez, executive director of Eat Greater Des Moines, will be joining us. Aubrey has widespread knowledge to share on building easier connections between donors and recipients, including the development of a mobile app that aims to make this connection even easier.

The final two panelists are from our beloved Quad Cities. Mike Miller, executive director of the River Bend Foodbank and treasurer for the Food Rescue Partnership will provide further information on the hunger issue in the QC, as well as the important distinction between a food bank and a food pantry. And last but not least will be Christina McDonough from the Scott County Health Department. Christina will explain how the issue of food rescue was chosen as the focus for the Food Rescue Partnership as well as information on local questionnaire findings.

Working collaboratively and learning from each other allows these initiatives to implement change throughout Iowa so we can ensure food is being treated as the resource it is. We’ll see you October 20!