# Food Recovery Challenge: Xanterra Parks & Resorts l national award at ‪Zion National Park‬ Lodge in Utah - Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2017/11/food-recovery-challenge-waste-cut-xanterra-parks-resorts-earns-award/ - Published: 2017-11-22T00:31:33-05:00 - Author: greenlivingguy ## Lodge among EPA Food Recovery Challenge participants recognized for outstanding achievements DENVER (NOVEMBER 21, 2017) — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognized food recovery challenge winner Xanterra Parks & Resorts’ Zion National Park Lodge in Utah. For they are the national winner of the 2017 Food Recovery Challenge. For that’s in the Hotel, Resorts & Lodging sector. Last year, food recovery packages at the Lodge prevented 28,802 pounds of food waste from going to the landfill. Thereby saving about $3,000 in disposal costs. ![Food recovery packages](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/ 2017/11/yannick-menard-uGbRqOBtoiU-unsplash.jpg?resize=420%2C280&quality=52&ssl= 1) The Food Recovery [Challenge award winners](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/12/lexus-and-scholastic-announce-first-round-of-winners-in-the-2011-2012-lexus-eco-challenge/) moreover serve as role models. Especially in their communities and for other organizations. That was said [EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt](https://greenlivingguy.com/2016/12/soon-to-be-head-epa-scott-pruitt-statement/). For their hard work and effective efforts to divert wasted food from landfills. For it is paying off. That’s through social, financial and environmental benefits. He also encouraged other organizations to replicate them. Moreover the successful food recovery operations of our Challenge winners. ### EPA Food Recovery Challenge Xanterra Parks & Resorts at [Zion National](https://greenlivingguy.com/2025/09/lamborghini-urus-se-phev-performance-meets-luxury/) Park Lodge joined EPA’s Food Recovery Challenge in 2013. Through partnerships with the National Park Service and vendors, they did it. For the Lodge has developed a comprehensive process to capture food recovery. All that would otherwise go to the landfill. Moreover and produce high-quality compost packages. The Lodge is one of the first establishments in the world to use a large-scale shredder. Also a centrifuge and dehydrator system for its food recovery efforts.  Staff at the Lodge capture both pre-and post-consumer food waste. Especially along with landscaping material and grass clippings. Moreover to produce a finished compost material. One that is also donated for use at local ranches. In addition to [community](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/09/unexpected-ways-to-reduce-your-communitys-carbon-footprint/) gardens and surprisingly to residences. ### Xanterra Parks & Resorts is committed to environmentally responsible business practices This includes landfill diversion via food reclamation,” said Alex Rogers, [Sustainability](https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/02/sustainability-linked-to-responsible-governance/) and Safety Manager. “The EPA Food Recovery Challenge is just one tool, in our suite of many tools, used to track and reduce our food waste. We understand this global challenge is not an easy task, but we will continue to move forward, lead by example, and do our part.” In 2016, over 950 businesses, governments and organizations participated in EPA’s Food Recovery Challenge. Food Recovery Challenge participants include organizations such as grocers, restaurants, educational institutions and sports and entertainment venues. Together they have diverted 740,000 tons of food from being landfilled or incinerated. Moreover, saving businesses up to $37 million in avoided waste disposal fees. In addition, to prevent and reduce food waste, Food Recovery Challenge participants used cost-effective and creative practices. Moreover, it includes reducing excess food from educational institutions. That means sending food scraps off for animal feed and providing in-house food recovery training. Wasted food is the single largest type of waste discarded each year in our everyday trash; that’s roughly 73 billion pounds. Wasting food adversely impacts our communities and the environment through the fiscal and [natural resources](https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/05/top-10-sustainable-resort-samui/) used to produce and deliver the food. Approximately 12 percent of American households have difficulty providing enough food for all of their family members. In 2016, [Food Recovery Challenge participants helped address](https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/11/how-urban-food-hubs-are-addressing-food-deserts/) food insecurity in our nation through the donation of nearly 222,000 tons of excess, wholesome food, providing the equivalent of close to 370 million meals. ## The EPA and food waste The waste prevention and diversion efforts of this year’s award winners, as well as all Food Recovery Challenge participants and endorsers, contribute to the actions needed in order for the United States to meet the national goal to reduce [food loss and waste](https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/04/new-report-shows-ways-to-help-solve-north-americas-food-loss-and-waste-problem/) by 50 percent by the year 2030. Moreover, the EPA recognizes Food Recovery [Challenge participants and endorsers with awards](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/11/nominations-sought-for-2012-presidential-green-chemistry-challenge-awards/) in two categories: data-driven and narrative. The data-driven award recipients achieved the highest percent increases in their sector comparing year to year data. Furthermore, narrative award winners excelled in the areas of source reduction, leadership, innovation, education and outreach and endorsement. [[ ### The 2017 Food Recovery Challenge national award winners are: #### Data-driven Improvement by Sector Winners 1. Grocers:  Sprouts Farmers Markets:  247 (Carlsbad, California) 2. Colleges and Universities:  University of Houston (Houston, Texas) 3. K-12 Schools:  Ramona High School (Ramona, California) 4. Sports and Entertainment Venues:  Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas( Dallas, Texas) 5. Hotels, Resorts and Lodging:  Xanterra Parks & Resorts at Zion National Park Lodge( Springdale, Utah) 6. Restaurants and Food Service Providers:  Café de Novo (Dallas, Texas) 7. State/Tribal/Local Government:  Town of New Paltz (New Paltz, New York) 8. Medical Services:  Boston Medical Center (Boston, Massachusetts) 9. Non-Profits:  Food Forward (North Hollywood, California) 10. Food Manufacturing:  Signature Breads (Chelsea, Massachusetts) 11. Newcomer:  Sprouts Farmers Market (Daly City, California) ### Narrative Category Winners 1. Source Reduction:  Cherokee Point Elementary School (San Diego, California) 2. Leadership:  City of San Diego (San Diego, California) 3. Innovation:  Honesdale Roots & Rhythm Music & Arts Festival (Honesdale, Pennsylvania), and San Diego International Airport (San Diego, California) 4. Education and Outreach:  Spoiler Alert (Boston, Massachusetts) 5. Endorsers:  Corporate Waste Consultants (Greentown, Pennsylvania) For more information on Food Recovery Challenge award winners, visit: [https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food/food-recovery-challenge-results-and-award-winners](https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food/food-recovery-challenge-results-and-award-winners) [For more information on the 2030 national food loss reduction goal](https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food/united-states-2030-food-loss-and-waste-reduction-goal), visit: [https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food/united-states-2030-food-loss-and-waste-reduction-goal](https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food/united-states-2030-food-loss-and-waste-reduction-goal) ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df91669667126e1290c21ee0342c386e2da19d588d4d9ca6560bd82ed59a9641? s=300&d=monsterid&r=g) greenlivingguy The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author, Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke # Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow. [See Full Bio](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/) [ ](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/)