The Mill recycles food scraps into dried, ground-up food that we call Food Grounds. Food Grounds are still food, minus the water, bulk, odor, and ick.
Food Grounds aren’t compost. Compost is produced when microbes digest organic matter, which takes weeks or months, not hours — despite what others might say. While Food Grounds can be made into compost or added to your garden, it is a delicate process that can result in mold, cause odors, and attract pests. Check out our Homeowner Guide for using Food Grounds for more details.
Sending us your Food Grounds is not required, but an available option for those who do not have access to a garden or municipal organics collection but we highly recommend it. According to the EPA and the UN, the best and highest use for uneaten food — after feeding people — is feeding animals that help to feed people. When you send us your Food Grounds, we turn them into food for chickens, and send them to a local farm in the Pacific Northwest providing the greatest possible impact. You can learn more about our small farm partners here.