 We love food, which leaves us wondering: why do we let so much of it go to waste? In the U.S., about 40% of food is wasted somewhere along the supply chain, and much of that food waste happens at home.
Most of the food we throw in the trash is leftovers or unspoiled food that could have been eaten, according to a recent waste study in Minneapolis. All that wasted food adds up to wasted money. The average family of four spends more than $2,500 on food that goes to waste every year.
Improve your food-waste-fighting skills
Learning skills like creating a meal plan, buying just what you need at the grocery store, cooking creatively, and properly storing food can have a big impact on reducing the amount of food in your home that goes to waste.
The online Stop Food Waste Challenge offers easy, practical tips and resources that will help you and your audience reduce food waste, save money, fight climate change, provide for your family, and improve your cooking skills.
Spread the word and encourage others to join
The challenge runs from August 1 through August 31. Participants can sign up now! Start a team for your community or organization and encourage your audience to join the challenge.
Then spread the word by downloading the newsletter and social posts, graphics, and posters from the Stop Food Waste Challenge resources page.
 We have updated several emerald ash borer education pieces, and printed copies are now available for free in English, Hmong, Somali, Spanish, and large print English. Follow the links below to order copies for distribution to your audiences. These resources work well with tree related education.
Emerald ash borer booklet
Learn how to identify ash trees, signs of emerald ash borer infestation, and options for treating and replanting trees. Order a printed copy of the booklet.
Ash tree identification card
Use this as a quick reference for identifying ash trees. Order a printed copy of the identification card.
Decision guide for managing ash trees
Learn how to identify the best options for managing your ash trees. Order a printed copy of the decision guide.
Fix-It Clinics offer free, guided assistance from volunteers with repair skills to disassemble, troubleshoot, and (hopefully) fix small household appliances, clothing, electronics, mobile devices and more. Clinics teach valuable troubleshooting and basic repair skills, build community connections and reduce the number of repairable items that are thrown in the trash.
Download and share the Fix-It Clinic flyer (PDF) and use the sample articles and social media posts in the Fix-It Clinic media kit (DOCX) to promote the events to your audiences.
 Host a Fix-It Clinic
If you are interested in hosting a Fix-It Clinic at your site, consider these requirements for hosting a successful event:
- A large, well-lit room big enough to fit at least 20 banquet-sized tables
- Twenty tables with four chairs each
- At least eight electrical outlets
- Wi-Fi
- Parking lot with at least 30 spaces
Please email at nancy.lo@hennepin.us or call 612-348-9195 for more details.
Upcoming clinics
Clinics are held on the second Saturday of most months from noon to 4 p.m., with the last items accepted at 3:30 p.m. Events are first come, first served. No pre-registration required.
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Saturday, August 10 from noon to 4 p.m. at Southdale Library, 7001 York Avenue South, Edina
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Saturday, September 14 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Leech Lake Twin Cities office, 2438 27th Avenue South, Minneapolis
Minnesota Association for Environmental Education Conference: Call for presenters
October 4 through 6 at Camp Friendship in Annandale, Minnesota
The Minnesota Association for Environmental Education is seeking compelling presentation proposals that highlight promising and proven practices, push the leading edge of the profession, advance equity and inclusion, and motivate the pursuit of excellence. The deadline for presentation proposals is Wednesday, July 31. Learn more and submit a proposal.
Wisconsin Association for Environmental Education Conference: save the date
October 24 to 26 in Wisconsin Dells
The Wisconsin Association for Environmental Education is turning 50! And as part of the celebration, the annual conference is returning to Upham Woods in Wisconsin Dells from October 24-26! The theme is Connect, Explore, Engage: education for the next 50 years. Learn more about the conference. Registration will open soon.
North American Association for Environmental Education Conference
November 6 to 9 in Pittsburgh
 Registration is open for the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) 2024 Conference and Research Symposium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Join more than 1,000 attendees to explore how environmental educators build bridges across borders, disciplines, and ideas. With themes from climate education to leadership development, this event promises to ignite and inspire. Find out about scholarships, workshops, and field trips, and register at conference.naaee.org.
Minnesota Naturalists’ Association Conference: save the date
November 15 to 17 at Deep Portage in Hackensack
The 2024 Minnesota Naturalists’ Association Conference will be held at the scenic Deep Portage from November 15 to 17. The conference will feature keynote speakers, field trips, and a silent auction and raffle. Learn more about the conference. Registration will open in September.
Learn more
hennepin.us/environmentaleducation
Environmental education network Facebook group
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