Department of Natural Sciences
Agenda
Overall Theme: Bridging Food Recovery Gaps to Meet Food Waste Reduction Goals
The U.S. EPA and some state and local governments in Region 3 have established ambitious goals to reduce wasted food. This summit will explore the magnitude of those goals and what will be needed to achieve them. Presentations will address gaps in food recovery infrastructure and innovative ways to bridge them; how to scale effective solutions to make meaningful progress toward goals; and strategies for food recovery across different sectors and within rural and urban areas.
8:00 am – 9:30 am
Registration, Breakfast, and Student Posters
9:30 am – 10:00 am
Welcoming Remarks
Master of Ceremonies: Dr. Anika Bissahoyo, Assistant Vice President for Research, Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, Bowie State University
- Dr. Anne Osano, Associate Professor of Biology and Coordinator, Healthy living Initiative & Annual Bowie State Food Day Symposium, Bowie State University
- Dr. George Ude, Chair, Natural Science Department, Bowie State University
- Dr. Guy-Alain Amoussou, Associate Provost For Academic Affairs, Bowie State University
- Secretary Ben Grumbles, Maryland Department of the Environment
- Cecil Rodrigues, Deputy Regional Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 3
10:00 am – 10:45 am
Keynote: Opportunities from Food Waste Reduction Goals
Keynote speakers will discuss new goals for food waste reduction and the opportunities created by these goals to spur innovation, entrepreneurship and new partnerships.
Moderator: Kaley Laleker, Maryland Department of the Environment
- Tom O’Donnell, EPA Region 3
- Patty Bubar, Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection
- Alexandra DySard, MOMs Organic Market
10:45 am – 11:15 am
Networking Break
11:15 am – 12:30 pm
Addressing Gaps in Surplus Food Donation
This session will explore the top barriers and gaps in the recovery of food for donation, and how these have been overcome across various food industry sectors.
Moderator: John Sullivan, Maryland Department of the Environment
- Adria Aceto and Kathy Egan, Maryland Food Bank
- Rachel Sylvan, Sodexo
- National Restaurant Association, Jeff Clark
- Liz Baldridge, Feeding America
12:30 pm – 1:45 pm
Lunch
Cooking demonstration hosted by Dr. Otis Thomas, Bowie State University
1:45 pm – 3:00 pm
Building Food Recycling Infrastructure in the Mid-Atlantic
Composting and anaerobic digestion capacity for food scraps is a major challenge in the region. Reaching food waste reduction goals will require viable models for recycling food from a variety of sectors and in all areas of the region. This panel will explore effective food recycling options at different scales and settings.
Moderator: Dave Mrgich, Maryland Department of the Environment
- Howard Lee, DC Office of Waste Diversion
- Laura Cassidy, City of Philadelphia, Department of Prisons
- Vinnie Bevivino, BTS Bioenergy, Inc.
- Brenda Platt, Institute for Local Self-Reliance
3:00 pm - 3:15 pm
Networking Break
3:15 pm – 4:45 pm
Concurrent Sessions
Concurrent Session 1: Developing College and University Food Recovery Programs
Moderator: Dr. George Ude, Bowie State University
- Leana Houser, Johns Hopkins University
- Michelle Bennett, University of Delaware
- Allison Tjaden, University of Maryland, College Park
- Bridgette Behling, George Washington University
Concurrent Session 2: Waste Reduction in the Hospitality Industry
Moderator: Erica Chapman, Maryland Department of the Environment
- Caitrin O’Brien, Hilton
- Aurora Dawn Benton and Joan Plisko, Astrapto
- Pete Pearson, World Wildlife Fund
Concurrent Session 3: Food Recovery in the Agriculture Sector
Moderator: Thomas O’Donnell, EPA Region III
- Brett Reinford, Reinford Farms
- Lynette Johnson, Society of St. Andrew
- Dr. Dave Galligan, University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine
- Amy Cawley, Maryland Food Bank
4:45 pm – 5:15 pm