Tuesday April 28, 2026 | 8:30AM-4:30PM
Mission Health/A-B Tech Conference Center
16 Fernihurst Drive Asheville, NC 28801
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The 2026 Food Waste Solutions Summit is a regional gathering aimed at disrupting food waste issues facing our communities, expanding our networks, and inspiring dynamic solutions. Our fourth summit builds on collaborative efforts activated by the 2017, 2019 and 2023 summits, bringing together local businesses, organizations, and university leaders to expand cross-sector conversations and deepen partnerships. The past three summits attracted hundreds of attendees from dozens of community organizations, businesses, and government agencies and resulted in the launch of Food Waste Solutions WNC, a collaborative network addressing food waste recovery issues including:
Support for edible food waste collection and redistribution
Increased landfill diversion tactics
Innovative enterprise development
Development of community and municipal level compost initiatives
Because of this work, the Asheville area now serves as a model for other communities across North Carolina striving to reduce food waste.
Online Registration Live!
Registration pricing for the 2023 Food Waste Solutions Summit is on a sliding scale, which means we encourage you to pay what you’re truly able to afford. The intention is to make the event accessible to all who are interested in attending by eliminating financial barriers. We’re dependent on registration fees to help support the considerable cost of hosting this event, and we’re hoping that contributions from some will help make the event more accessible for others.
Remember that registration for this event includes a full day of carefully planned programming, lunch, snacks, beverages, and an evening networking event and site tour opportunity at a local taproom. Food Waste Solutions WNC is a volunteer group, and we are putting in a collective 400+ hours to plan this Summit. Any amount raised from registration fees above what we need to cover costs will be put toward food waste reduction efforts in Western North Carolina.
Consider paying more on the scale if you:
- own the home you live in
- are part of a company or organization
- have investments, retirement accounts, or inherited money
- travel recreationally
- have access to family money and resources in times of need
When registering: First, you’ll be prompted to a registration form. Following completing the form, you’ll be prompted to make a donation to our event fiscal sponsor, Bountiful Cities. This is sliding scale where you can pay what you’re able. Thank you!
We want the 2023 Food Waste Solutions Summit to be accessible to ALL community members! Please contact us to find out about volunteer and work-trade opportunities. For details, email Cathy Cleary at cathy@bountifulcities.org
2026 Food Waste Solutions Summit BASE Schedule
Join us for a day collaboration, networking and learning. Stay all day or choose your track(s) as we have interactive conversations about Food Rescue and Redistribution, Consumer Education and Composting. More schedule details coming soon!
8:00 – 9:00
Registration/Check-In
Coffee, Tea and Light Breakfast Snacks
Registration Closes at 12:30
9:00
Opening Remarks
featuring AB Tech Sustainability Committee
9:30 - 10:45
Rescue & Redistribution
with Sara Russell, Cathy Cleary, Matthew Miller, and Jennifer Trippe
11:00 - 12:15
Consumer Education
with Flori Pate, Ashley Lavender, Amanda Bremseth, and Christine Wittmeier
12:15 - 2:00
Buffet Lunch & Networking
2:00 - 3:15
Composting
with Christy Hurlburt, Kiera Bulan, Adam Schwartz, and Leonora Stefanile
3:30 - 4:15
Networking and Tabling for Attendees
4:15
Closing Remarks & Raffle Winners Announced
Food Waste Solutions Summit Speakers
Christy Hurlburt
Viably
Leonora Stefanile
Garden Manager
Dr. John Wilson Community Garden (Town of Black Mountain)
Christine Wittmeier
Organics Recycling Team Lead
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
Adam Schwartz
Dirtcraft Organics
Flori Pate
Co-Founder
WNCHELP.org
Flori Pate is an Asheville-based social entrepreneur focused on strengthening local food systems and expanding food access. She is the co-founder of Dig Local, also known as “Asheville’s App,” and Food Connection, a nonprofit that rescues surplus prepared food and
distributes it to neighbors in need, reducing food waste while easing hunger.
Flori is also the co-creator of WNCHelp.org, a digital resource hub designed to connect residents with food resources, mental health services, and volunteer opportunities. WNCHelp is
a collaborative platform that helps nonprofits reduce duplication of efforts, share and request resources, recruit volunteers, and serve as a vital tool for disaster relief.
Across her work, she focuses on building collaborative systems that make it easier for
communities to access support and strengthen local resilience.
Sara Russell
Operations Director
Food Connection
Danny keaton
Danny’s Dumpsters
amanda bremseth
Buncombe County Change Agent
NC State Extension
Amanda Bremseth is Buncombe County’s EFNEP Nutrition Educator. EFNEP (Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program) is a federally funded USDA program that provides nutrition education to limited-resource families and youth. Amanda truly loves assisting others with improving their health and wellness. She has worked as a Nutrition Educator for Clemson Extension, Harvest Hope Food Bank, and for Whole Foods Market for their corporate employee healthy living program. She was also a Montessori teacher for ten years.
Matthew Miller
Volunteer Center Associate
MANNA FoodBank
Clary Franko
Chief Operating Officer
Sugar Hollow Solar
Clary has more than 13 years of leadership experience in renewable energy. She worked at SunCommon in Vermont for more than eight years and helped grow the business to more than 100 people. In 2020, she began work at Sugar Hollow Solar, playing a key role in doubling the company’s revenue, leading its B-Corp certification, and scaling the company’s commercial and industrial business. Most recently, she helped Sugar Hollow Solar recover from Hurricane Helene. Despite losing its warehouse in the flood, she helped the team get back to full operation within a matter of weeks. She is now helping the company navigate the surge in demand caused by the hurricane, as well as significant legislative changes and tariffs.Clary is the winner of NC Sustainable Energy Association’s 2025 Women in Clean Energy Award!
Jennifer trippe
Director of Programs & Facilities
Bounty & Soul
Jennifer has more than two decades of experience between the food systems and health and wellness sphere. She built MANNA FoodBank’s inaugural nutrition program and worked across Western North Carolina building partnerships and collaborations that address hunger’s impact on health. She was a massage therapist for many years and brings a broad range of experience that will support Bounty & Soul’s community focused work.
Summit Sponsors
Raffle Supporters
Join Our Amazing Group of Community Sponsors!
Sponsoring this important event is a great way to showcase your commitment to quality of life and environmental stewardship in our community.
Have a product you’d like to donate in-kind to support this event or our raffle baskets? We gladly recognize in-kind contributions toward sponsorship and supporters. Please contact foodwastewnc@gmail.com to discuss details.
Learn More About Our Past Food Waste Solutions Summits
Save the Date!
Date:
April 28, 2026 | 8:30AM-4:30PM
Location:
Mission Health/A-B Tech Conference Center
16 Fernihurst Drive
Asheville, NC 28801