Last year, Anjali Carl, a junior at Cedar Park High School, approached Hill Country Community Ministries (HCCM) with an idea to complete her Girl Scout Gold Award project. Her project aimed to address the issue of food waste, which she defined as “food not ultimately consumed by humans that is discarded.” After conducting interviews with clients at HCCM and other food pantries, Anjali identified several factors contributing to food waste, including over-purchasing, the short shelf life of donated food, lack of time or knowledge to cook, and unfamiliarity with how to prepare certain items. She also discovered that college students face similar challenges, such as limited cooking facilities and food management skills.
Anjali's solution focused on maximizing the use of food before it spoils, and on composting excess food to enrich soil for gardens.
Project Overview:
- Composting Initiative:
Anjali built a compost bin for HCCM and developed clear procedures for its use. She created instructional charts and flyers, and trained volunteers to manage the composting process. She also provided the necessary tools, including a shovel and fork, for turning the compost. The nutrient-rich compost created through this effort will eventually be used to enrich our garden beds. - Cookbook Development:
Anjali created two cookbooks: one for families and one for college students, featuring recipes made from food pantry staples and common produce. These cookbooks included tips on reducing food waste and suggested substitutions for available ingredients. The books were distributed to our clients and Community Cupboard customers in both print and digital formats via QR codes. - Taste Testing and Engagement:
To encourage clients to try the recipes, Anjali hosted taste testing events at the pantry, offering samples of dishes from her cookbooks during our business hours. This allowed people to experience the recipes firsthand and motivated them to experiment with new ways to reduce food waste.
Impact:
- Composting:
Anjali’s composting initiative has diverted approximately 350 pounds of food waste so far, which has the potential to create around 24 pounds of nutrient-rich soil. - Cookbooks:
Over 70 client families received a copy of Anjali’s cookbook. Additionally, the cookbook reached an estimated 5,000 people across 32 states and 7 countries.
Her Gold project was officially approved!! Anjali’s passion for food science and her desire to make a positive impact were evident throughout the project. She said her favorite part was meeting new people and sharing her love for cooking and baking. In the future, she plans to major in food science with a focus on ice cream chemistry!
We are incredibly grateful for Anjali’s time, dedication, and creative solutions to reduce food waste and empower our community. Her project has made a lasting impact on HCCM, and we are proud to have been part of her journey.
