Transforming Food Waste into Renewable Energy: The Partnership Between Divert Inc. and General Produce

Divert Inc. has teamed up with General Produce in a groundbreaking initiative aimed at converting unsold and non-donatable food into renewable energy and soil amendments for communities throughout Northern California. This collaborative effort seeks to address significant food waste challenges while contributing positively to the environment.

Process Overview

Under this partnership, General Produce will channel unused food from its Sacramento distribution center to Divert’s Integrated Diversion & Energy Facility located in Turlock, California. The process involves depackaging and anaerobic digestion, which not only destroys branded packaging but also transforms organic waste into carbon-negative energy and nutrient-dense soil amendments. The energy produced from this process uniquely supports local households, enhancing energy sustainability in the region.

Support for Sustainability

This innovative program aids General Produce in complying with state organic waste regulations and optimizes the management of materials that cannot be sold or donated. Divert will meticulously track data to assist General Produce with waste mandate compliance, sustainability reporting, and discovering further waste reduction strategies. Notably, Divert currently services over 1,900 customer locations across California.

Statements from Leadership

“Together with Divert, we’re keeping organic waste out of landfills, transforming what can’t be donated into renewable energy and continuing to drive meaningful change across our industry,” stated Brian Hamilton, General Produce’s director of operations. “As a leading produce distributor, we understand the importance of maximizing every food item that comes through our warehouse, and this partnership enables us to achieve that.”

Broader Impact on Legislation

The collaboration also supports compliance with California Senate Bill 1383, which mandates that businesses throughout the state divert organic waste from landfills. California contributes nearly half of the nation’s vegetables and over three-quarters of its fruits and nuts, making nutrient recovery from unsold items vital for safeguarding the agricultural supply chain.

A Commitment to Sustainability

“Our partnership with General Produce builds on our efforts to eliminate wasted food in California and reduces greenhouse gas emissions across the food value chain,” remarked Andrew Johnston, Divert’s VP and General Manager of Industrials. “This collaboration not only reflects General Produce’s commitment to sustainability but also its stewardship in ensuring that no food goes to waste.”

Expansion and Future Goals

Divert unveiled its Turlock facility in 2024 to cater to customer demands and enhance the state’s infrastructure. This site supports the company’s edible food recovery programs and has notably facilitated the donation of 17.8 million pounds of food since 2018, equating to approximately 14.8 million meals.

[RELATED: Raley’s, Divert Team Up to Cut Food Waste, Fight Hunger]