Updated July 18, 2013 -- Note: Dates have changed. There will now be one, all-encompassing Food Rescue Forum on Monday, Aug. 12 from 10 a.m. to noon to discuss ways of managing surplus food generated by any and all food-related industries.  Representatives from hotels, conference centers, schools, restaurants, supermarkets, hospitals, and institutions, as well as any other interested parties are encouraged to come.

Want to learn more about Westchester County's efforts to convert food scraps into a product that can be added as a soil amendment or animal feedstock? Interested in what can be done to ensure that untouched food goes to the needy? 

On Aug. 12, the county's Department of Environmental Facilities (DEF) will be hosting a Food Rescue Forum that will address these issues and more. The forum will take place at the Houshold Material Recovery Facility (H-MRF), located on the Grasslands Campus, 15 Woods Road, Valhalla.

Participants will learn about The Ecovim™, which processes food into a soil amenement or animal food stock, as well as opportunities to distribute untouched, fresh or packaged food to various locations that will feed the hungry. This initiative is part of a cooperative effort with the Food Bank for Westchester and Rock & Wrap It Up!, Inc. 

County Executive Robert P. Astorino said: "Our goal is to heighten public awareness about the importance of reducing our waste and to give local businesse an opportunity to learn how to get their untouched, fresh or packaged food to the needy in Westchester." 

Ellen Lynch, executive director of the Food Bank for Westchester, said: "We estimate that 200,000 county residents are hungry or at risk of hunger. Half of them are seniors, a third are children under age 18. And the need for emergency food just keeps growing. The effort to support our mission is greatly appreciated."

DEF Commissioner Thomas Lauro stressed that registration for the program is required.

To reserve a seat at the forum,  visit the Food Rescue section of the county's Web site at www.westchestergov.com/foodrescue.

To schedule a visit of the Ecovim™ system or to receive more information, contact the Westchester County Recycling Helpline at (914) 813-5425 or email .