Ella Kilpatrick Kotner, once a little girl wandering the lush fields of an organic lettuce farm in Kealakekua, Hawai’i, learned the importance of living in harmony with the land at a young age. Growing up on her family’s farm, she understood the value of nourishing the soil and playing with compost. Today, she leads a program at Groundwork RI, a nonprofit in Providence, Rhode Island, that focuses on composting and connecting people to food and soil.
Every day, Kilpatrick Kotner and her team of three ride their bikes throughout the city, collecting food scraps from hundreds of households. These food scraps are then taken to a community garden where they are mixed with carbon-rich materials like dry leaves and wood shavings. By creating this mixture, Kilpatrick Kotner creates a habitat for microbes that aid in the decomposition process, turning waste into a valuable resource for the soil. The resulting compost is made available to subscribers for use in their home gardens, yards, or urban farms.
The United States wastes over one-third of its food supply, contributing significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions. In an effort to reduce food waste, the Obama administration set a national goal to cut food waste in half by 2030. Surprisingly, the Trump administration not only supported this goal but also launched initiatives to reduce food loss and waste. However, without federal enforcement, the ambitious goal remains out of reach.
In 2023, the EPA launched the Community Change Grants Program, which aimed to support community-based organizations addressing environmental justice challenges. Groundwork RI was one of nine organizations awarded an $18.7 million grant to expand their composting services, build a larger compost hub, and launch a free food-scrap collection pilot with the city of Providence. Unfortunately, the grant was terminated, leaving the future of the program uncertain.
As President Trump’s administration continues to roll back climate action and justice-oriented programs, organizations like Groundwork RI face challenges in their mission to reduce food waste and promote sustainability. Despite setbacks, Kilpatrick Kotner remains committed to her work, believing that composting is not just about waste management but also about building community and connecting people to the land. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently sent out termination notices to grantees, nullifying their projects effective immediately. This move has raised concerns among environmental advocates and former EPA officials, who believe that the Trump administration is targeting environmental justice programs as a whole, rather than specific initiatives like food-waste reduction.
Zealan Hoover, a former senior adviser to President Biden’s EPA Administrator, Michael Regan, expressed his belief that the termination of grants is part of a broader effort to dismantle environmental justice programs. He highlighted the fact that the funding for these projects was allocated by Congress and deemed the terminations unlawful.
The EPA spokesperson defended the agency’s actions, stating that they are reviewing all grant programs to ensure they align with administration priorities. However, critics argue that the cancellations are undermining the efforts of local communities and pulling resources away from important environmental initiatives.
Michelle Roos, executive director of the Environmental Protection Network, revealed that around 400 grants have been terminated so far, with plans to terminate a total of 781 grants. This mass cancellation of grants is unprecedented, as previous administrations rarely terminated funding in this manner.
One of the affected projects is the Rhode Island Food Policy Council’s $18 million community change grant, which aimed to create local jobs, provide food scrap pickup for households, build food scrap drop-off locations, and develop compost processing facilities. The project also intended to establish a local supply chain for redirecting excess food to food-insecure community members, reducing food waste and emissions in the process.
Nessa Richman, the executive director of the council, expressed disappointment over the cancellation of the grant and the missed opportunities it presented for the community. She emphasized the impact the project would have had on reducing food waste and emissions, as well as promoting community engagement and education on sustainable practices.
Despite the setback, Richman remains committed to finding alternative solutions to address food waste and environmental challenges. The termination of the grant has highlighted the need for continued advocacy and support for environmental justice initiatives at both the local and national levels. The sun was shining brightly in the clear blue sky as people gathered in the town square for the annual summer festival. The air was filled with the sound of laughter and music, and the smell of delicious food wafted through the air. Children ran around playing games, while vendors sold handmade crafts and treats.
The summer festival was a long-standing tradition in the small town, a time for the community to come together and celebrate the warm weather and the abundance of the season. The town square was adorned with colorful decorations and banners, adding to the festive atmosphere.
One of the main attractions at the festival was the live music performances that took place throughout the day. Local bands and musicians took to the stage, entertaining the crowd with a mix of genres from folk to rock to blues. The music filled the air, drawing people in from all corners of the town square.
Another popular feature of the festival was the food vendors, offering a wide variety of treats to satisfy any craving. From freshly grilled corn on the cob to sweet cotton candy to savory barbecue, there was something for everyone to enjoy. Families sat at picnic tables, sharing meals and enjoying the warm summer day.
In addition to the music and food, there were also games and activities for both children and adults to participate in. A petting zoo had been set up for the little ones to interact with animals, while a dunk tank provided entertainment for those seeking a thrill. There were also craft booths where attendees could try their hand at making their own souvenirs to take home.
As the sun began to set, the town square was illuminated with twinkling lights and lanterns, creating a magical atmosphere. A fireworks display lit up the night sky, dazzling the crowd with bursts of color and light. The festival came to a close with a final musical performance, bringing everyone together for one last celebration before the night ended.
Overall, the summer festival was a huge success, bringing the community together to enjoy a day of fun and entertainment. As people began to disperse, they left with smiles on their faces and memories of a wonderful day spent with friends and family. The festival was a reminder of the joy and togetherness that can be found in simple moments of celebration, and a promise of more good times to come in the future.
