Let's Go Compost

Florence Copper Community Foundation recently granted $2,000 to Let’s Go Compost to help expand hands-on learning opportunities for students in Florence schools, equipping them with essential skills in science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM). We couldn’t be more grateful to Florence Copper for investing in these young learners and their future! #Sustainability #STEAMEducation #FlorenceAZ #FoodWasteReduction

Celebrate Earth Month and Food Waste Prevention Week with?Pollinator Partnership and Let's Go Compost! Join us for a webinar on Apr. 2, 2025 12:00 PM (MST) as we discuss how to integrate?pollinator?and compost education into your classroom in the 2025-2026 school year. Register at?https://lnkd.in/g_TrMd2W.?

We’re excited to announce that our Summer Internship Application is now live! This 10-week, paid, remote internship (20 hrs/week) is an opportunity for students eager to join an innovative team and drive positive change in the food system. We have multiple openings across our development, sustainability, and food program teams. For details on the program and available positions, check out the attached document. Applications are due March 24th at 5 PM PST! If you have any questions please email our Head Community and Student Programs, Stella ([email protected]) Apply here: https://lnkd.in/gJQF7TZa

Research indicates that exposure to soil bacteria can stimulate serotonin production, enhancing mood and reducing anxiety. Gardening overall is also linked to decreased cortisol levels and improvements in cognitive function, suggesting that direct interaction with soil can play a significant role in promoting mental well-being. Read the study: https://lnkd.in/g66UiD54 ??: #LetsGoCompost Program Participant Douglas Elementary School in Tucson, Arizona

Happy #PiDay! Let’s talk about Pi(e)... waste! ???? Every year, millions of pounds of food (including perfectly good pie) end up in landfills instead of being eaten. This Pi Day, celebrate by making sure every slice gets enjoyed BEFORE it needs to be composted!

Teamwork makes the dream work when it comes to reducing food waste in K-12 public schools! Composting programs teach STEM/STEAM skills (including decomposition, ecosystems, and carbon cycles) while also fostering social-emotional learning (SEL) through responsibility, collaboration, and environmental stewardship. As students work together to reduce waste, they learn that small actions add up to big change. ??: #LetsGoCompost Program Participant Douglas Elementary School in Tucson, Arizona

Can a compostable "green" turn into a "brown" over time? Compost "greens", like food scraps and lawn clippings, are full of nitrogen and moisture, which helps microbes break things down quickly. But as microbes eat and break down these materials, they release gases and lose water. Over time, this reduces the nitrogen in the material while leaving behind more dry, fibrous parts like cellulose and lignin (tough plant structures that take longer to break down). As a result, what started as a wet, nitrogen-rich "green" material can slowly turn into a drier, carbon-rich "brown" material, similar to dried leaves or straw. The more you know!

Deadline Extended: Apply by April 15! ?? Looking to launch your career in food education, nutrition, or community building? As a FoodCorps member, you'll gain hands-on experience in schools, develop professional skills, and receive training and mentorship—all while making a meaningful community impact. Apply by April 15 to start your journey in food and education ?? foodcorps.org/apply

Exciting News! Food Waste Prevention Week 2025 Webinar Registration IS LIVE! The first batch of webinars for Food Waste Prevention Week (April 7-13, 2025) has just been released, and we are genuinely impressed by the depth and variety of topics covered this year. From community engagement strategies to the economics of wasted food, passionate experts from our community are coming together to share hands-on solutions that work in homes, campuses, and businesses: Just a glimpse of what's coming: -Learn how to transform leftovers deliciously with global food inspiration -Discover the economics behind food waste prevention (families can save $1,800-$3,000 annually!) -Understand the truth about "expiration dates" with Harvard Food Law experts -Explore how universities are implementing innovative food waste solutions -Get practical tips for home composting and worm farming Whether you're an educator, business owner, chef, student, or simply looking to reduce waste at home, these webinars offer actionable strategies to make a difference. The list is being updated regularly, so check back often for new additions! Register now at?https://lnkd.in/eidQKhRU?before spots fill up! #FoodWastePreventionWeek #FWPW25 #Sustainability #ReduceWastedFood #Community #CollectiveEffervescence #ImpactfulFoodSystems Joanna Berens Alison Mountford Belinda Li Caroline French Molly Crouch Claudia Fabiano Elaine Blatt Anya Obrez Darby Hoover Tony Staubach Stephanie De La Hoz Rachael Jackson Emily Grant Emily Coyne Jeffrey Costantino Mary J. Chandler, MSc

If you could design your perfect worm composting system, what would it look like? Students at #LetsGoCompost program participant Frank Borman Elementary School (Cartwright School District) in Phoenix, Arizona recently put their ideas on paper, check them out!