Chicken feed ingredient from food scraps receives approval for commercial distribution in the U.S.

USA – Mill, the award-winning food-recycling system, has achieved a groundbreaking milestone in sustainable agriculture. 

The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has granted formal approval for the distribution of Mill’s recycled chicken feed ingredient, marking a historic moment as the first time a chicken feed component derived from recovered household food scraps has been authorized for commercial use in the United States.

Mill’s innovative approach represents a paradigm shift in food waste management, effectively closing the loop from kitchen to coop. Mill offers a transformative solution to address the dual challenges of food waste and sustainable livestock farming by repurposing uneaten food scraps from households into nutritious feed for chickens.

Every year, Americans discard over 44 million pounds of food, contributing to environmental degradation and resource depletion. Meanwhile, approximately 30% of the world’s arable land is utilized for growing livestock feed. 

Mill’s initiative tackles these pressing issues by harnessing the untapped potential of household food waste to meet the nutritional needs of livestock, thereby reducing the ecological footprint of agriculture.

The approval of Mill’s feed ingredient follows a pivotal decision by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) regarding the definition of Dried Recovered Household Food as an animal feed component. 

Supported by a recommendation from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), this decision validates Mill’s approach and paves the way for similar circular systems to emerge, heralding a new era of resource recovery and sustainable agriculture.

Matt Rogers, co-founder and CEO of Mill, expressed gratitude towards regulatory authorities for their cooperation and foresight in recognizing the importance of food waste reduction. He emphasized the significance of transforming household food scraps into valuable resources for farmers, underscoring Mill’s commitment to revolutionizing food systems and combating waste.

Derek Sandison, the Director of the WSDA, commended Mill for its innovative contribution to food recycling, highlighting the rigorous safety and quality standards upheld during the certification process.

Mill’s proprietary kitchen bin technology dehydrates food scraps nightly, reducing the moisture content to less than 12%. The resulting dry grounds, enriched with essential nutrients, serve as an optimal ingredient for chicken feed or compost feedstock. 

Customers can return full bins to Mill for processing into feed ingredients, utilize them for composting at home or in gardens, or participate in local food recycling initiatives.

Previously, Mill’s feed ingredient underwent rigorous research and development phases, during which it was utilized and donated to small-scale farms in the Washington area, ensuring adherence to safety protocols and regulatory standards.

Mill’s success marks a significant milestone in the journey towards a more sustainable and resilient food system, exemplifying the power of innovation in addressing global challenges.

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