To turn the tide on food waste, Clark County has proclaimed April 7-13 as Food Waste Prevention Week, aligning with more than 700 organizations worldwide in a global movement aimed at fostering better habits surrounding food consumption and waste. The Clark County Council's announcement highlights a pressing issue: approximately 38% of all food produced in the United States ends up uneaten, leading to a cascade of economic, environmental, and social consequences.
As part of this initiative, Clark County Green Neighbors is sponsoring two no-cost events designed to educate and engage community members. The potential benefits are not just ecological but financial as well—a family of four can save an estimated $3,000 yearly by minimizing food waste. Moreover, conserving food inherently reserves other vital resources such as land, water, and energy, along with the human effort expended throughout the food life cycle.
The festivities kick off with "Food Waste Prevention Trivia" at Fortside Brewing, located at 2200 NE Andresen Road, Vancouver, from 7-9 pm on Tuesday, April 8. Attendees can test their knowledge on the subject and walk away with prizes. The event is hosted by 5Star Trivia, and while participation is free of charge, registering in advance is recommended.
On the following evening, Wednesday, April 9, Cascade Park Community Library at 600 NE 136th Ave., Vancouver will host the "Scrappy Cooking Workshop" from 6-7:30 pm. This workshop will reveal how to creatively repurpose leftovers to concoct new meals, offering not just savings to the wallet but a reprieve for the planet. Cooking demonstrations will be carried out by WSU Clark County Extension, and, similar to the trivia night, attendees are encouraged to register ahead of time.
For anyone interested in participating or learning more about how to be part of these efforts, information is available on the Clark County Green Neighbors website.
