Y O U R
C O M M U N I T Y
THE
N A T U R A L
F O O D S
NATURAL
A Pu b l i cat i o n o f t h e S kag i t Va l l e y Fo o d Co - o p
M A R K E T
ENQUIRER April - June 2021
How to Compost with Worms by Callie Martin
There is a climate impact hiding in the back of your fridge: Wasted food! According to the U.N. Food & Agriculture Organization, 30% of food is wasted globally across the supply chain, contributing 8% of the total global greenhouse gas emissions. And don’t forget all the metal cans, plastic bags, and cardboard boxes our food comes in. By throwing away leftover stir-fry, half the emissions from producing and processing, packaging, shipping, storing, picking up, and cooking are also wasted. Reducing food waste is one of the most important things we can do to halt global warming. So, how do we tackle a global problem on a local level? We compost – a simple habit benefiting people and planet that diverts nutrient-laden, rotten food from the landfill and gives it back to the soil.
Red Wigglers in compost.
Vermicomposting, or worm composting, is one of the most efficient, accessible methods for composting food waste at home. By harnessing the work of redworms, you can transform kitchen scraps into a soil amendment that’s good as gold. Here’s how to create a worm bin: Choosing the Right Worm Bin Many containers make suitable worm bins, from commercially available vermicomposting units to DIY bins, and common materials range from wood to plastic. Airflow is an essential function of any bin’s controlled environment. The goal is to create an aerobic habitat, one in which oxygen is present throughout the bedding. Oxygen is necessary not only for the worms, but
also for the millions of microorganisms that work with the worms to break down waste. To ensure successful airflow, a bin needs lots of surface area to allow more air to contact the bedding and provide a broader space for food waste. If your worm bin is single layer, it should be shallow, usually no deeper than 12”-18” because redworms tend to feed upward, munching from beneath the surface material at the top of the bin. In a deep container, bedding can pack down, and this compression forces air out from bottom layers, creating smelly conditions due to lack of oxygen. Bins must have holes in the sides, tops, or bottom to let air in but keep pests out. You can use mesh screens to cover the holes, install various styles of louvered vents or cut out a rectangle from the bottom, side, or lid and cover with a screen to provide more airflow. (continued on page 8)
in this issue
page
page
6
Board Elections ∙ pg 2
page
11
7
Third Street Cafe Closure ∙ pg 5 Tokens for Tomorrow ∙ pg 5 Hidden Food Allergies ∙ pg 9 4% Friday Recipients ∙ pg 10
Pop, Rock, & Soul
Hanging On & Letting Go
Whidbey Pies