Ava Maria Village starts food program

According to an Environmental Protection Agency report, in 2010, more than 34 million tons of food waste was generated, more than any other material category but paper. Food waste accounted for almost 14 percent of the total municipal solid waste stream, less than 3 percent of which was recovered and recycled in 2010. The rest —33 million tons — was thrown away, making food waste the single largest component of municipal solid waste reaching landfills and incinerators.

Ave Maria Village in Jamestown recently decided to reduce food waste. In conjunction with The Great Plains Food Bank in Fargo and with assistance from the Rev. Al Bitz, AMV CEO Tim Burchill and Deacon Tom Geffre, AMV chaplain, AMV began a program known as Daily Bread. This program is one that Bitz was a part of in Fargo.

Any food that is left over after all meals are served, and can be frozen, is immediately put into freezer bags and then placed in a freezer. Reheating instructions are placed on the freezer. The food has never been touch by human hands. The food is then offered to any staff member who is in need of supplemental food. Health department guidelines have been consulted so food safety is not an issue.

To try to determine the effectiveness of this Daily Bread program, AMV asked for anonymous comments from the users. The program has been very successful as indicated by the responders, AMV said.

AMV continues to work with Great Plains Food Bank in trying to further this idea in the Jamestown area.

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