Heading into the Holiday Season, EPA Region 7 Highlights Local Food-Waste Reduction Efforts

November 9, 2026

Contact Information

Lauren Pascale (pascale.lauren@epa.gov)

LENEXA, KAN. (NOV. 9, 2026) – Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 hosted a discussion panel highlighting how EPA’s Feed It Onward partners across the Heartland are working together to fight food waste and support communities in need.

EPA’s Feed It Onward initiative spotlights organizations that are taking surplus food to feed families, support agriculture, be composted, or power American homes and businesses — instead of ending up in a landfill.

“As we kick off the holiday season and start menu planning for celebrations, EPA Region 7 is highlighting local organizations that are ensuring good food goes to people and not in the garbage,” said EPA Region 7 Administrator Jim Macy. “Our partners have diverted millions of pounds of food waste from landfills, and the impact of their innovative models continues to grow.”

EPA Region 7 Administrator Macy was joined by leadership from:

Compost Collective and Urbavore Farm (Kansas City, Missouri)
Kanbe’s Markets (Kansas City, Missouri)
KC Can Compost (Kansas City, Missouri)
Missouri Farmers Care Foundation (Jefferson City, Missouri)
The Outreach Program (Union, Iowa)
Pete’s Garden (Kansas City, Missouri)

Today’s panelists demonstrate what is possible when federal, local, and community partners align around a shared vision. Every one of these efforts matter, and together they tell a much bigger story. EPA is bringing people together, shining a light on what is already working, and helping successful ideas reach businesses and communities across the country.

Many of Missouri’s Feed It Onward partners are working together through a nearly $5M Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) Grant awarded to the city of Kansas City, Missouri. This grant is being used in part to expand the city’s organics collection program and develop partnerships with local markets to build a food rescue and waste diversion program.

During the panel, partners highlighted recent achievements associated with large regional events. During this summer’s World Cup, KC Can Compost diverted more than 49,000 pounds of compostable material from Kansas City landfills, and Pete’s Garden recovered close to 25,000 pounds of food that provided more than 20,000 meals to Kansas City families.

For a list of Feed It Onward partners, visit: https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food/partners-driving-real-solutions-across-america.

Seven people smile and pose for a photo in front of the Region 7 state flags. — U.S. EPA Region 7 Agriculture Advisor Doug Jones poses with the Feed It Onward panelists, including: Tony Whitter of Compost Collective KC, Max Kaniger of Kanbe's Markets, Kristan Chamberlain of KC Can Compost, Ashley McCarty of Missouri Farmer's Care, Tamara Weber of Pete's Garden, and April Johnson of The Outreach Program.

Heading into the Holiday Season, EPA Region 7 Highlights Local Food-Waste Reduction Efforts

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