The primary objectives of this study are to: 1.Determine if the DFAC food service operations are subject to compliance actions pursuant to the new food waste recycling bill (A2371). 2.Conduct a food waste audit to approximate the mass of food waste generated by the DFAC facility annually. 3.Recommend food waste reduction strategies and alternatives for food waste disposal.
Theoretical background and project rationale
The Sea Girt (SG)National Guard Training Center (NGTC) provides facilities for the stationing, training, and support of National Guard (NG) Units, Soldiers, Airmen, and Sailors, as well as federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. This site also supports the functions and needs of the local Youth Challenge (YC)cadets and staff. Meal service operations for site personnel are conducted at the on-site dining facility (DFAC) in Building 11. Approximately 207,000meals are served at the DFAC annually. This approximation was based on the meal count totals between April 2020 and April 2021. Meal service operations at the DFAC were conducted by Acorn from March 2012 through October 2019, and as of January 2020, Dining Partnership Group (DPG) is the state contracted meal service company. The DPG began their meal operations on June 8, 2021. This contract is valid for three years and may be extended two years under mutual agreement between the vendor and the Director of the DFAC.DPG is contractually obligated to provide meal services to site personnel in accordance with the Army Food Program AR 30-22. In accordance with AR 30-22, each individual is entitled to at least three healthy meals daily. At the SG facility, meal preparation and food operations are contracted out to Dining Partnership Group LLC. During meal periods, individuals are expected to get their food and beverage items, consume them, and then properly dispose of any left-over items. These left-over food items, any food waste generated from preparation of meals, and food that spoils prior to preparation are considered food waste. As of April 14, 2021, the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey enacted an act concerning food waste recycling and food waste-to-energy production, while supplementing Titles 13 and 52 of the Revised Statutes and amending P.L. 1987, c.102 and P.L. 1999, c.23. In brief, these actions called for large waste generators within 25 road miles of an authorized food waste recycling facility to: 1. Source and separate its food waste from other solid waste; and 2. Send the source separated food waste to an authorized food waste recycling facility that will accept it.