The second annual Food Waste Fair is just around the corner and this year’s event promises to be even better than the last. The NYC Food Waste Fair, hosted by The Foundation for New York’s Strongest, is an interactive experience connecting the hospitality industry in NYC with the resources and knowledge they need to achieve zero food waste. The overarching goal is to make it easier for business owners to save money and embrace sustainable operations in their business.

Established in 2016, The Foundation for New York’s Strongest is the official nonprofit organization of the New York City Department of Sanitation. The foundation leverages non-traditional strategies to promote sustainability and advance the essential services of Sanitation employees. This is achieved by emphasizing New York’s Strongest as one of the city’s emergency responders and highlighting their critical, daily service; forging partnerships with private-sector organizations to move New York City toward zero waste.

“New York City businesses throw away more than 650,000 tons of food waste annually, said Julie Raskin, Executive Director of the Foundation for New York’s Strongest. “Food waste decomposing in landfills produces more than 3.3 billion tons of methane every year. But chefs know that food scraps are not garbage. Leftover food from restaurant kitchens can be used to make a new meal, or even be used to feed animals, turned into compost to help nourish soil and grow healthy food, or create energy.”