Waco Food Project Diverts Thousands of Pounds of Waste

The Sustainable Community and Regenerative Agriculture Project reports significant waste reduction as local food insecurity persists.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Organic Food

Flat opaque gouache-painted illustration of a rustic wooden compost bin and a thriving vegetable garden, symbolizing sustainable urban agriculture. — The Sustainable Community and Regenerative Agriculture Project in Waco diverted over 300,000 pounds of food waste from landfills this past year. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you believe local food waste reduction programs are effective at improving community food security?

In the past year, the Sustainable Community and Regenerative Agriculture Project successfully diverted 317,972 pounds of food waste from landfills in Waco. This initiative aims to address environmental stewardship and high rates of local food insecurity throughout 2025.

Why it matters

By repurposing food waste, the project seeks to combat the 19.7% food insecurity rate currently affecting Waco residents. The efforts highlight a direct link between sustainable waste management and local community support systems.

The project diverted 317,972 pounds of waste from landfills while engaging 20,000 participants in volunteer and educational efforts. In 2025, food insecurity impacted 19.7% of Waco residents compared to 14.4% across the broader Central Texas region.

The players

Sustainable Community and Regenerative Agriculture Project

This initiative manages gardening, food recovery, and environmental education programs across the Waco area.

City of Waco

This local government entity partners with the project to address sustainability and regional food insecurity.

The details

Operating through a grant-funded research collective, the initiative maintains community gardens near the Armstrong Browning Library and at Teal Residential College. Educators also partner with regional school districts to integrate pollinator gardens and outdoor learning into the curriculum.

The project report covers the timeframe from 2022 through 2025.
Food insecurity rates were collected during 2025.
The 317,972 pounds of waste were diverted over the past year.

Culture Shift

This initiative reflects a growing movement to integrate regenerative agriculture into urban environments to combat food insecurity. It aligns with the 2025 Central Texas food insecurity rate of 14.4% by providing local, sustainable solutions to food access and waste.

Residents can participate in community garden initiatives or volunteer efforts that contribute to the project's ongoing waste reduction and educational goals. These efforts directly support the local food supply chain for those facing food insecurity in the Waco area.

The takeaway

Effective waste diversion can serve as a practical foundation for addressing broader community issues like food insecurity. Residents looking to contribute can focus on supporting local regenerative gardens and participating in regional educational programs.