Twentynine Palms City Council to address food waste solutions tonight
Approximately 30 to 40% of our nation’s food supply is wasted leading to extensive methane emissions from landfills, wasted water, and a lost opportunity to feed those in need. In 2016, the state legislature passed SB 1383 mandating all state municipalities reduce organic waste landfill disposal by 75% and pull back on edible food waste by 20%.
It’s this last goal that the Twentynine Palms City Council will discuss at tonight’s meeting, specifically, a $73K purchase of five commercial freezers, three commercial refrigerators and six shelving units – all designed to retain edible food originally destined for trash bins. The equipment would be used for food storage and distribution through The Hope Project 29 Palms (operating out of Sanctuary Church), 29 Palms Community Food Pantry (operating at First Assembly of God Church), and Reach Out Morongo Basin, operating out of the Twentynine Palms Senior Center.
Funds for the purchase would be provided by the CalRecycle Local Assistance Grant Fund Expenditure allowing that all requirements of the grant are met.
Council will also hear a departmental update from the City Clerk at the meeting’s outset.
The council meeting takes place on Tuesday, February 10, at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall. It can be livestreamed or viewed on-demand via the city’s website: www.29palms.org.
