Oregon is setting the standard in addressing food waste with its upcoming Food Waste Prevention Week running from April 7-13, 2025. Communities, businesses, schools, and Oregonians are all gearing up to participate in a range of interactive workshops, community challenges, student contests, and trivia events both in-person and online. According to a press release obtained by Oregon Newsroom, Jerin Dinkins, Food Systems Coordinator at Oregon DEQ, emphasized the collective effort, stating, "Real change happens when communities come together with a shared purpose."
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is supporting this initiative, teaming up with four local organizations to reduce waste in ways that benefit the local communities directly. One of the highlights is the “Bread to Tap” event in Corvallis, which features a sustainable beer brewed using repurposed bread, pairing it with a low-waste menu. The Lloyd EcoDistrict is also presenting a series of events geared to reduce waste, including a solar digester project and a free fridge program. High schools across the state aren't being left behind, with Our Future's peer-led activities planned to raise awareness and action amongst students. Further aligning with the cause, Waste-Free Advocates plans to launch a month-long social media campaign geared to inspire communities to adopt food waste-reducing practices.
Various other events scattered across Oregon aim to engage residents in different aspects of food waste prevention. Some events to look out for include a Spanish-language webinar on food waste prevention hosted by the City of Gresham Solid Waste, a "CHOPPED" style volunteer day with Milk Crate Kitchen, and an educational lunch session hosted by the same organization. For those keen on learning about the links between nutrition and optimal health, a webinar by Dr. Emily Ho from the Linus Pauling Institute should be particularly enlightening. The week caps off with a collaborative sustainability event in Eugene celebrating Earth Day, among other community-organized activities.
As mentioned by the Oregon Newsroom, the scheduled events are diverse, ranging from the practical, such as hands-on Scrappy Cooking Workshops, to the informational, like webinars and educational series. In-person events celebrate connection and practical engagement, like tabling at the Woodlawn Farmers Market and the creative "Bread to Tap" gathering. These events are designed not only to educate but to foster community involvement in a statewide effort to significantly reduce food waste—a critical environmental issue. Details and registration links for these activities can be accessed online, offering residents the chance to get actively involved in sustainable practices for their communities.
