Mill has garnered formal approval from the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) for distributing their recycled chicken feed ingredient within the state. This marks a significant milestone as it's the first time a chicken feed ingredient derived from recovered household food scraps has received commercial distribution approval in the United States.
The breakthrough approach by Mill addresses the alarming issue of food waste by creating a closed loop from fork to farm, enabling easy incorporation of uneaten food scraps back into the food system. With Americans discarding over 44 million pounds of food annually and a considerable portion of arable land being used for livestock feed production globally, the need for sustainable solutions like Mill's has become increasingly apparent.
The approval from WSDA follows a pivotal vote by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) regarding the definition of Dried Recovered Household Food. The decision not only validates Mill's system but also paves the way for similar circular systems to follow suit, holding significant implications for resource recovery and sustainable agriculture.
Matt Rogers, Cofounder and CEO of Mill, expressed gratitude to regulators for their diligence and recognition of the urgency behind reducing food waste. He emphasized the transformative potential of turning household food scraps into resources for farmers and urged others to join the fight against food waste.
Derek Sandison, Director of the Washington State Department of Agriculture, commended Mill for its innovative concept and collaborative efforts with regulatory agencies to ensure the safety and quality of their product.
Mill's process involves dehydrating food scraps nightly to less than 12% moisture content in their kitchen bin, converting them into clean, dry grounds rich in nutrients. These grounds serve as an ideal ingredient for chicken feed or compost. Customers have the option to return the filled Mill bin to have the grounds transformed into chicken feed, use them at home, or participate in local food recycling loops.
Previously, Mill's feed ingredient underwent research and development processes, being donated to small, local farms in the Washington area as part of safety and regulatory diligence.
