Madison Reporter

The City of Madison is actively encouraging residents to participate in its food scraps composting program. The city has set up three drop-off sites at local farmers' markets: the South Madison Farmers’ Market, the Eastside Madison Farmers’ Market, and the Westside Community Market.

The goal for this year is to collect 40,000 pounds of food scraps for composting, equivalent to the weight of 20 bison. To date, over 10,000 pounds have been collected this market season, which amounts to about five bison. This leaves approximately 30,000 pounds or 15 bison worth of food scraps needed to meet the target by the end of the market season.

Residents are encouraged to contribute by bringing appropriate food scraps to their nearest market. Information about locations, hours, and acceptable types of scraps can be found on the City of Madison's food scraps composting website. At these sites, participants can access free buckets for transporting scraps, guides on composting practices, and stickers for personal items like water bottles or laptops.

Additionally, the city's website offers resources on preventing food waste and provides links to opportunities for donating excess food. The initiative aims not only to reach its collection goal but also to foster community involvement in sustainable practices.