UO Students Host Food Waste Summit, Connect with Lawmakers

OSPIRG chapter brings together advocates to tackle food insecurity and waste across Oregon

Apr. 14, 2026 at 12:00pm by

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An abstracted, out-of-focus photograph depicting a group of students gathered around a table, discussing food waste and insecurity issues, with warm pools of light and color creating an intimate, thoughtful atmosphere.Student advocates at the OSPIRG food waste summit connect with lawmakers to drive policy change on critical environmental and social issues.Eugene Today

The Oregon State Public Interest Research Group (OSPIRG) held a food waste summit at the University of Oregon, bringing together students and advocates to address food insecurity and waste issues statewide. The event featured workshops, panels, and opportunities for students to directly engage with state lawmakers like Rep. Mark Gamba on legislative efforts like House Bill 3018.

Why it matters

Food insecurity and waste are major issues in Oregon, with significant environmental and social impacts. The OSPIRG summit empowered students to turn grassroots energy into real policy action, connecting them directly with lawmakers to drive change on these critical problems.

The details

The OSPIRG food waste summit at the University of Oregon featured a range of workshops and panels where students could learn about food waste and insecurity, as well as opportunities to directly advocate to state legislators like Rep. Mark Gamba. Organizers said the event allowed students to take their passion for these issues and translate it into tangible policy campaigns, including support for bills like HB 3018.

  • The food waste summit took place on April 11, 2026 at the University of Oregon in Eugene.
  • OSPIRG has been working on the food waste and insecurity campaign for a couple of years leading up to the summit.

The players

OSPIRG

The Oregon State Public Interest Research Group, a student-led nonprofit organization that has been advocating for food waste reduction and food security issues across the state.

Brenna Stevens

A Zero Waste Advocate at OSPIRG who has worked to turn grassroots energy into legislative action on these issues.

Kali Kleven

The UO OSPIRG Chapter Chair, who said the summit was one of the strongest campaigns the organization has run.

Rep. Mark Gamba

An Oregon state representative from Milwaukie's District 41 who spoke as a keynote speaker at the summit.

House Bill 3018

A piece of legislation that OSPIRG has been supporting as part of its efforts to address food waste and insecurity in Oregon.

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What they’re saying

“I've gotten to go to the state Capitol and advocate on behalf of some of these issues. I've talked to communities at their doorsteps or at local events like this and have really been able to turn some of that grassroots people power into real action.”

— Brenna Stevens, Zero Waste Advocate at OSPIRG

“It's the campaign I've been working on for a couple of years now, and it's really just been so impactful for me because it is something that I think is such a multifaceted issue. If we stop throwing away so much food, it can go to people who actually need it, or it can stop being thrown in the landfills and producing those harmful greenhouse gases.”

— Kali Kleven, UO OSPIRG Chapter Chair

What’s next

OSPIRG plans to continue organizing and connecting students with the issues they care about, including ongoing efforts to pass legislation like House Bill 3018 to address food waste and insecurity in Oregon.

The takeaway

The OSPIRG food waste summit demonstrates the power of student-led advocacy to drive real change on critical environmental and social issues. By bridging grassroots activism with direct engagement with lawmakers, the event empowered students to translate their passion into tangible policy solutions to tackle food waste and hunger.