The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognized four New England organizations for their role in a national campaign that prevented approximately 1.2 million tons of food from entering landfills or incinerators during 2020 and 2021.

As part of the EPA’s Food Recovery Challenge. 59 New England-based participants moved approximately 44,000 tons of food for donation, animal feed, anaerobic digestion, composting or as source reduction, the release said. The four New England award winners are located in Boston, Martha's Vineyard, MA, and Wilton, CT.

“The EPA Food Recovery Challenge Award winners demonstrate how preventing food waste and diverting excess wholesome food away from landfills and to people is important for the environment and communities,” EPA Administrator Michael Regan said in the release. “Their accomplishments serve as excellent examples to other companies, governments, organizations and communities, particularly because food is the single largest category of waste. We have an obligation to follow the lead of our award winners, not only for the sake of 35 million food-insecure Americans, but also to prevent emissions that contribute to climate change.”

The EPA's multi-faceted initiative started in 2011 and continues to contribute to the EPA's overall goal of reducing food loss and waste by 50% by 2030. Also on board with this effort is the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

For 2020 efforts, recognition went to the following: Wilton Conn. Public Schools (Newcomer category); Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (Boston, MA; Medical Services category); and Martha's Vineyard Regional High School - Island Grown Schools (K-12 Schools category). For its 2021 contributions, EPA recognized Lovin' Spoonfuls of Boston as an Honorable Mention in both the Leadership, as well as Education and Outreach categories.

The region’s groups were among 18 businesses and organizations nationally recognized for significant achievement, the release said.