At AdventHealth Palm Coast and AdventHealth Palm Coast Parkway, a new composting program is turning unused food from hospital kitchens into nutrient-rich soil for local farms. Since July, over 2,000 pounds of kitchen scraps have been collected and delivered to area farms for composting.
The hospitals are working with O-Town Compost, a sustainability group based in Orlando. Each day, kitchen staff separate food trimmings and other waste that cannot be served. O-Town Compost collects these materials and takes them to sites such as Gaston Tree Debris Recycling and Froot Farms. There, the food scraps are processed into compost used to improve soil quality and support crop growth.
“Instead of going into the landfill, our food scraps now go toward something good,” said Mario Rinaldi, senior manager of food and nutrition services at AdventHealth Palm Coast. “They are helping plant new seeds and create healthier soil.”
Rinaldi noted that while reducing waste is important, the effort has broader impacts. The hospital kitchens prepare thousands of meals each day for patients, families, and staff members. According to Rinaldi’s team, even small changes in daily practices can contribute positively to both community health and environmental well-being.
This initiative aligns with AdventHealth’s larger commitment to sustainability across its facilities. The organization emphasizes that caring for people includes caring for the environment through practical measures in daily operations.
AdventHealth Orlando, located in Orlando, Florida, was established in 1908. It currently operates under President Terry Shaw and serves as both a pediatric facility and a training hospital (https://www.adventhealth.com/hospital/adventhealth-orlando/about-us).
