Through the USDA Community Innovation Grant (CIG), LEAP Institute is turning food waste into a resource and creating thriving community gardens that improve soil health, strengthen food systems, and advance environmental justice in the Central Valley.
The USDA Community Innovation Grant (CIG) program supports innovative projects that address local challenges and improve the quality of life in rural communities. Our project transforms food waste into nutrient-rich fertilizer and tests its impact on crop production in community garden and greenhouse settings.
Our goals
- Reduce organic waste going to landfills
- Create sustainable, low-cost fertilizers
- Improve soil health and crop yields
- Build community capacity through education and hands-on training
- Advance food access and environmental justice
- Converts food waste into valuable fertilizer
- Supports regenerative agriculture practices
- Engages youth and community members
- Improves food access and local food systems
Our greenhouse experiment demonstrates that food waste-derived fertilizers can produce comparable yields to conventional fertilizers.
“Food waste-derived fertilizers lead to comparable yields in a
tomato greenhouse experiment”
Published in Discover Sustainability (Springer Nature)
