On Earth Day, April 22, Parkland Medical Center of Derry received an Honorable Mention Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Food Recovery Challenge. This award honored Parkland’s commitment to reducing its climate footprint, improving efficiency, helping communities and achieving cost savings through waste reduction, and in so doing, saving money, protecting the environment and feeding the hungry.
Food Recovery Challenge participants included groups such as grocers, educational institutions, sports and entertainment venues, hospitality businesses, as well as other sector participants. Parkland Medical Center was the only organization to receive this honor in New Hampshire and the only hospital in the country to be recognized this year.
“Our Food Service Department has composted nearly 14000 lbs. of food waste in 2013 and 2014 combined,” stated Peggy Connors, director of food and nutrition services at Parkland Medical Center. “It’s an honor to work alongside a food service team that is so committed to excellence that their impact is felt well beyond the walls of our hospital.”
In 2013, EPA’s Food Recovery Challenge participants diverted more than 370,000 tons of wasted food from entering landfills or incinerators. Of this total, more than 36,000 tons of food was donated to feed people in need.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that wasted food costs America more than $165 billion annually and that the average family of four throws away $1600 of food each year. The Food Recovery Challenge participants and endorsers, through innovation and hard work, have greatly reduced wasted food. Food pantries, food rescue programs, local food banks, soup kitchens and shelters are benefiting from donation of wholesome and nutritious food —helping feed people not landfills.
Jacob Wiesmann, CFO, with Peggy Connors, Director of Food and Nutrition Services, both of Parkland Medical Center, share the EPA award outside of Faneuil Hall in Boston on Earth Day, April 22, 2015.