Whole Foods store to convert waste to fertilizer (with video)

Whole Foods Market’s store in Bellevue, Wash., is expected to announce an agreement to deploy a new processor that turns food waste into organic fertilizer to be sold to farmers and consumers.

CONNECT WITH SN ON TWITTER

Follow @SN_News for updates throughout the day.

The WISErg Harvester unit, built by Redmond, Wash,-based WISErg, is to be installed at a Whole Foods’ store in Bellevue, Wash., in early May. The unit will enable the store to reduce food waste in a sustainable way, and provide data reports to help the store better manage perishable inventory, WISErg said.

In addition to recycling food scraps, reducing waste and decreasing shrinkage, the store will sell WISErganic organic liquid fertilizer.

“Our partnership with WISErg is another example of our commitment to the community and the environment,” Dena Hastings, regional green mission specialist for Whole Foods, said in a statement. “We can help to create a virtuous circle of food consumption and production, with nearby growers using organic fertilizer made from food scraps that originate in our store.”

The Harvester captures data about the sources of food scraps and environmental conditions that grocers can analyze to make more informed inventory management decisions. The Harvester is currently deployed at a number of independent grocers in Washington state.

“Whole Foods Market and WISErg are both committed to sustainable business practices within our local communities that are also economically viable,” said Larry LeSueur, CEO, WISErg. “With a customer base that cares deeply about the sources of the food they buy, Whole Foods Market can be great ambassadors nationwide for the Harvester technology. We’re thrilled to have them as a customer.”

Suggested Categories	More from Supermarketnews
Latest News Top 75 Retailers & Wholesalers Top 50 Small Chains & Independents Top 25 Global Retailers Power 50	SN Photo Galleries Videos Industry Voices SN Viewpoints Total Access Event Coverage