Concrete Jungle: A Solution to Georgia’s Food Waste Crisis
March 12, 2021
The Impact of Food Waste in Georgia
Georgia wastes approximately 2 million tons of food every year. When food decomposes in landfills, it emits highly potent greenhouse gases. Concrete Jungle is an organization that collects otherwise ‘wasted’ food to be distributed to food-insecure families throughout metro-Atlanta.
Concrete Jungle: Fighting Food Waste Since 2015
Started in 2015, this organization began by coordinating volunteers to pick fruit from urban trees in Atlanta. Concrete Jungle has expanded since then to include other food reclamation activities such as field gleaning, urban gardening, and “ugly produce” purchasing. To date, Concrete Jungle has reclaimed over 150,000 pounds of produce to feed Georgia families. To learn more about Concrete Jungle, visit their website www.concrete-jungle.org and follow them on social (Instagram: @concretegungleatl / @concretejungleath, Facebook: @concretejungle.org).
Reduced Food Waste: A Climate Solution for Georgia
To learn more about Reduced Food Waste as a climate solution for Georgia, visit Drawdown Georgia at www.DrawdownGa.org.
Georgia Climate Stories Series
‘Climate on Our Minds’ is part of the Georgia Climate Stories series, highlighting climate impacts and solutions from across the state. To explore other stories, visit: http://stories.georgiaclimateproject.org/
Acknowledgments
This story was produced by Michael Schwarz and made possible by the Ray C. Anderson Foundation and Glenn Family Foundation.
In conclusion, Concrete Jungle is making a significant impact in reducing food waste and providing nutritious food to families in need in Georgia. By highlighting the work of organizations like Concrete Jungle and promoting solutions like reduced food waste, we can all contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future. Engage with these initiatives, support local food reclamation efforts, and spread awareness about the importance of combating food waste for a better tomorrow.