Montgomery County Food Council Manager Heather Bruskin was honored to testify alongside many of our partners in July in support of Bill 28-16, the Strategic Plan to Advance Composting and Food Waste Diversion. This bill is an important step in expanding our County’s food waste diversion capacity, which would have significant agricultural and environmental health benefits and strengthen our County’s farms, small businesses, non-profits, and communities.
The public hearing was a tremendous success, with twelve speakers testifying in support of the bill, including representatives from Department of Environmental Protection, Agricultural Advisory Committee, The Compost Crew, Community Food Rescue, Backyardcomposting.org, Institute for Local Self-Reliance, Sierra Club Montgomery, Friends of Sligo Creek, Glenstone and the Sugarloaf Citizens Association. Letters of support were also submitted from many organizations, including the Maryland Horse Council, Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future, and the Maryland Sierra Club.
Bill 28-16 was introduced by Council Vice President Roger Berliner and it was co-sponsored by Councilmembers Hucker, Elrich, Navarro, Riemer and Katz. The Food Council is extremely appreciative of their leadership and support of this important issue. Click here to view the hearing online.