Food Scraps Recycling Begins on June 14, 2022 at Two Neighborhood Farmers’ Markets

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posted June 8, 2022 - 9:46 am

Mark your calendars. Food scraps recycling returns next week!

From June 14, 2022 until September 27, 2022 on Tuesday evenings, you will be able to drop off certain food scraps at two neighborhood farmer’s markets.

Where are the food scraps drop-off locations?

South Madison Farmers’ Market: 1602 South Park Street

The market is at the corner of South Park Street and West Wingra Drive. Look for the tents and the yellow food scraps drop off banner. This location is accepting food scraps on Tuesdays from 2:00pm to 6:00pm from June 14 to September 27, 2022.

Eastside Farmers’ Market: 202 South Ingersoll Street

The market is alongside South Ingersoll in McPike Park. Look for the food scraps drop off tent and banner. It will likely be near the information tent for the market. This location is accepting food scraps on Tuesdays from 4:00pm to 7:00pm from June 14 to September 27, 2022.

What food scraps are acceptable for dropping off?
In order for this program to be a success, you must bring the correct food scraps.

You will be allowed to bring food scraps that would be acceptable for backyard composting.

The list includes:

Raw fruits, including peelings, cores, etc.
Raw vegetables, including peelings, husks, etc.
Coffee grounds
Grains and Rice
Eggshells

Attendants at the booth will also be able to answer questions about what is acceptable in the food scraps drop-off program.

What food scraps are banned from this market drop-off program?
While these items may be compostable in other systems, they are not acceptable in the small-scale farm composting operation that will be receiving food scraps collected at the markets.

All meat & bones (including fish and shellfish)
Food products cooked with oil
All dairy products
Paper products, including bags
Compostable plastics, including compostable bags & compostable tableware
Produce stickers, twist ties, etc.
Pet waste & diapers

Other material like metal, glass, and plastic are not accepted as they cannot be composted.

Why can we drop off food scraps for recycling again? What changed?
The City of Madison received a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture for community composting and food waste reduction. The Natural Resource Defense Council also provided additional funding through their Food Matters initiative.

Using those funds, we were able to secure help from Sustain Dane to provide assistance in staffing the food scraps drop-off sites to help control contamination and provide additional materials necessary for the drop-off site to be a success.

The food scraps will be taken to the Neighborhood Food Solutions urban farm for composting to help their soil regeneration efforts and also supporting their mission and programs.

Additional Details
For more information about food scraps, including prevention strategies and ways to donate to food pantries, please go to the Streets Division’s food scraps website, www.cityofmadison.com/FoodScraps.