The Fairfax County Park Authority is looking to take composting at its farmers’ markets to a new level by recycling more than 8,000 pounds of compost in June.
Expanding from a successful pilot program in 2022, all 10 farmers’ market locations now include food-scrap drop-off sites where customers can dispose of food waste to be composted. During May, customers brought 7,400 pounds of food waste – 3.7 tons – to the market drop-off sites for composting.
The Park Authority is utilizing Veteran Compost and Future Acres Urban Farming to assist with food-scrap collection.
Compostable food waste can be brought to the farmers markets in any type of container, but those who use a regular plastic bag will need to empty the contents into the collection container and throw the bag away separately. A complete list of items available for collection can be found at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/farmersmarkets/composting.
Through July 1, residents who drop off their food scraps at any of the 10 market locations will receive a free bag of compost, and the Park Authority will be providing free compost bins to customers who bring food scraps to the farmers’ markets between June 25 and July 1, while supplies last.
