Food Cycle CoP (Community of Practice)
The Food Cycle CoP is comprised of organizations and individuals committed to building healthy and resilient communities where no one is hungry and no resource is wasted. This group was in existence in the previous Farm to Plate Network structure and known as the Food Cycle Coalition.
The vision of the Food Cycle CoP is to divert food and organic materials that would otherwise be wasted and convert them into a valuable resource to support our local food system. They do this through source reduction, food rescue, composting, animal feed utilization and energy production. Diverting quality food and other organic materials from the landfill will help increase food security, create jobs, reduce fossil fuel dependence, reduce greenhouse gases, protect waterways and soil, sustain local food systems, and build stronger communities.
In 2016, the Food Cycle CoP worked with Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund to curate and add to resources from Highfields Center for Composting. This collection of resources was rebranded as the “Vermont Composting Library.”
Vermont Composting Library
These resources can be accessed by category, or by clicking on the tiers in the Vermont Food Recovery Hierarchy.
Resources for residents
Resources for schools
Resources for businesses
Resources for haulers
What is Vermont Act 148?
Vermont’s Universal Recycling Law—known as Act 148—bans the disposal of three major categories of waste commonly found in the trash:
“Blue Bin” recyclables
Leaf and yard debris
Food scraps and food processing residuals (also know as organics)
This resource library focuses on the ongoing ban of organics. Keeping organics out of the landfill helps reduce methane emissions, improve food security, conserve energy, and support local, sustainable jobs.
Highfields Center for Composting
Founded in 1999, Highfields’ mission was to close the loop on community-based, sustainable food and agricultural systems, thus addressing soil health, water quality, solid waste, farm viability, and climate change. They researched, educated, and provided technical services for composting and comprehensive food waste recycling programs.
Highfields dissolved in late 2014 and in 2015 all of their IP was transferred to the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund (VSJF). With guidance from the Food Cycle CoP, VSJF created a new website for these resources and added to them in an effort to continue engaging residents, businesses, schools, and haulers.
In 2025, stewardship of these resources was passed to the Composting Association of Vermont.