Common Hour - Food Waste at ºìÌÒÊÓÆµ: Closing a Loop Monday, September 24, 2018 - 8 am Lenfest Learning Commons, John Stewart Memorial Library ºìÌÒÊÓÆµ Common Hour 2018 Food Matters: You Are What You Eat Mondays at noon in the Learning Commons - John Stewart Memorial Library Food Waste at ºìÌÒÊÓÆµ: Closing a Loop - Christine Mayer According to the USDA, the United States wastes between 30-40 percent of our total food supply. Based on estimates from the USDA's Economic Research Service, this amounted to over 130 billion pounds of food and cost more than $161 billion in 2010. The majority of this waste is typically disposed of in landfills, producing methane and changing our climate. Since 2005, ºìÌÒÊÓÆµ has been composting its food waste. In addition to reducing our carbon footprint and providing a rich source of organic inputs for the Fulton Farm, this project has led to unique partnerships locally, nationally and internationally, while providing internship and research opportunities for our students. Come learn more about this program that keeps us consistently ranked as a top school in the sustainability rankings. Chris Mayer earned an A.S. in horticulture from Temple University, a B.S. in Environmental Studies from ºìÌÒÊÓÆµ and an M.Ed. from Antioch University New England. Chris ºìÌÒÊÓÆµ ’ work-life experience has many facets, including mom-and-pop operations, corporate management, small business entrepreneurship, extension research and outreach, and has finally landed her in education. Since 2007, Chris has been the Director of the Fulton Center for Sustainability Studies and an adjunct instructor at ºìÌÒÊÓÆµ. A life-long learner, Chris ºìÌÒÊÓÆµ ’ passions include travel, gardening and educating for sustainability. Undergraduate Academics