Sadly, we must cancel Monday's panel discussion -- the West Allis Public Library canceled all events per the Health Department. Note that the library is still open for patrons stocking up on books and videos (as of Saturday morning).

Local Food Waste: The Problem and a Working Solution" was going to include a panel of Milwaukee-area activists and entrepreneurs talking about their efforts to reduce food waste and what we as consumers can do to reduce the waste that we generate.

The presenters who graciously agreed to take part are: Sami Avnet of Tikkun Ha-Ir, which gleans produce from farmers markets and uses it to prepare meals to serve at pantries; Sophia Torrijos of Friedens Community Ministries, which runs pantries in Milwaukee; Christie Melby-Gibbons of Tricklebee Café, a pay-what-you-can community café; and Marion Ecks of Kompost Kids. Learn more about these groups and what they do by checking their websites.

Here is a Healthline website that has a lot of good ideas about preventing food waste -- tips that you can use right now as you try to make the most of your supplies at home:

• Save scraps such as carrot peels and onion skins to make stock.
• Put things like chard stalks and strawberry tops in a smoothie.
• Get more nutrients by eating the skins (including kiwi?!).
• Store your fresh fruits and vegetables properly.

Stay healthy, and we hope to see you at Earth Day or our May 18 program on forest conservation!