PRESS RELEASE
Reconnecting the food cycle at Tampa’s new urban farm
Suncoast Compost and Meacham Urban Farm are excited to announce a new partnership at Meacham Urban Farm in downtown Tampa. Beginning in the spring of 2021, Suncoast Compost will be running compost operations at the farm, helping turn local food waste into local food.
About Suncoast Compost
Since 2017, Suncoast Compost has diverted 200,000 lbs food waste away from the landfill and into local farms and gardens. Nearly 200 homes and businesses in the Tampa Bay area currently utilize Suncoast Compost’s curbside and drop-off composting programs. Suncoast Compost offers drop-off and curbside composting service for homes throughout Tampa.
About Meacham Urban Farm
Meacham Urban Farm is a bio-intensive, organic farm located in Ybor City, at Encore in the heart of downtown Tampa. Farmed by Kristin Beauvois and Joe Dalessio of Black Finger Farm, and Travis Malloy of Trail Bale Farm, they grow approximately 35 different vegetables and fruits on 2 acres of cultivated land. Their goal is to inspire community engagement in the local food system and instill a commitment to organic, healthy, environmentally conscious farming. Meacham CSA Farm Cards are available each season (currently sold out) and they have just celebrated their soft opening. The Farm Store is planned to open to the public on the weekends in early 2021. Learn more at www.meachamfarm.com
Why it matters
While the composting movement is growing, it’s a drop in the bucket considering the Tampa Bay area throws away 1.3 million lbs of food waste every day. If food waste were a country, it would be the 3rd highest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world. Composting food waste is one of the easiest ways to address climate change.
Waste Dive
Tampa sends most of our waste to our waste-to-energy facility, where it is burned. With the increase in population since the facility was created, that facility is operating at capacity. Food is mostly water and does not have a good burn to energy ratio. However, that same food can provide excellent nutrients for a compost pile to create more food. Furthermore, as Tampa becomes more dense, many people don’t have a backyard to compost in. More people means more food waste- but food isn’t waste.
Tampa Bay needs an industrial composting option. Many existing yard waste composting facilities can accept food scraps, but antiquated regulations keep this from becoming a reality. Until then, Suncoast Compost and Meacham will model the right place for your food scraps.
