Plate to Garden

About Plate to Garden

Plate to Garden events are opportunities to raise funds by selling bags of compost while educating the community on how organics recycling “closes the loop” on food waste. Compost is locally sourced and nutrient rich, helping create strong, healthy gardens.

​The Minnesota Composting Council has partnered with organizations to host Plate to Garden events since 2015, raising upwards of $1000 for single events. While the MNCC assists with a few steps, a successful Plate to Garden event is driven by the host organization.

In 2026, there were 17 Plate to Garden events across the state which distributed 6,052 bags of finished compost to local communities. These events support compost producers, help spread the word about the benefits of organics recycling, and improve soil health.

Hosting a Plate to Garden Event

Minnesota Composting Compost will:​
  • Provide a list of participating compost sites
  • Provide burlap bags to fill with compost
    • After the event, organizations will be invoiced $1.25/bag for bags used
  • Provide event signage and tools
    • Promotional material templates are available upon request
  • Provide educational materials for distribution
​​​​​ The Host Organization must:
  • Schedule compost delivery. The host organization will pay the compost site directly for compost.
    • Ten cubic yards of compost typically fills ​500 burlap bags
    • NOTE: Leftover compost at the end of an event is the responsibility of host organizations. It is recommended to have a plan on how to handle extra compost.
  • Recruit volunteers to fill bags prior to the event
  • Advertise and promote the event to the community
  • Set prices for bags and manage sales
  • Pay MNCC for the number bags following the event
  • Arrange to return signage, tools, and unused bags to a Plate to Garden representative

Past Plate to Garden Events
Recommended Compost Facilities:

​SMSC
Jenny Appenzeller
[email protected]

Waste Management, formerly Twin Cities SET
Joy Harms
[email protected]
Please CC Jake Duame
​[email protected]
​
Glacial Ridge 
Nathan Reinbold
[email protected]

CreekSide Soils
Cassandra Meuffels
[email protected]
​
Greater Minnesota
Please contact [email protected] for information on Greater Minnesota compost facilities.

Curious about the benefits of compost? ​

  • Great for the garden: compost can be added to seed, starting mixes, container plantings, garden beds, or lawns
  • Full of microorganisms: adding compost helps break down organic matter into nutrients, making plants grow stronger
  • Less watering: compost increases the amount of moisture the soil retains, so you have to water less

Presenting Sponsor

Supporting Sponsors

2026 Plate to Garden Event Hosts

Sherburne County
Dakota Prairie Composting
City of Hutchinson/Creekside Soils
Metropolitan Airports Commission
Boston Scientific
Ramsey County
Boston Scientific
St. Paul School of Northern Lights
City of Plymouth
U.S. Bank - St. Paul Branch
Boston Scientific - Arden Hills
Tangletown Neighborhood Association
City of Crystal Recreation
Pope/Douglas Counties

2025 Plate to Garden Event Hosts

​Boston Scientific - Maple Grove
Dakota Prairie Composting
Metropolitan Airports Commission
Minnesota Composting Council
Ramsey County
St. Mary's Church - Alexandria
U.S. Bank
Creekside Soils
Lincoln School
St. Paul School of Northern Lights
City of Plymouth
The Brass Tacks Initiative
Boston Scientific - Arden Hills
Anoka County
City of Crystal
Tangletown Neighborhood Association​

2022 Plate to Garden Event Hosts

SMSC Organics Recycling Facility
Mississippi Market & Minnesota WasteWise
Metropolitan Airport Commission
Love the Earth Event  | PDSWM compost for your garden: Bagged by Boy Scouts & LutherCrest Volunteers
Church of St. Paul
MNCC Minnesota Compost Awareness Day presented by BizRecycling at CHS Field​
MNCC at Urban Growler
​First Lutheran Church
​Boston Scientific - Arden Hills
​Bethel Manor/Winona Shores gardening program
St. Johns Lutheran Church
​Boston Scientific 
Tangletown
City of New Brighton 

2021 Plate to Garden Event Hosts

Carver County Environmental Center
Columbia Heights High School Key Club
Waste Wise
Private Organization
​Scouts BSA Troop 9260 & 7269 
​US Bank Virtual Plate to Garden
MNCC & Urban Growler
​Private Organization
​FIT Academy Charter School
​St. John's Lutheran Church Lakeville
Private Organization
​Tangletown

2020 Plate to Garden Event Hosts

No events were held in 2020 due to COVID-19.

2019 Plate to Garden Event Hosts

Carver Co. Environmental Services
Minnesota Composting Council
First Lutheran Church
Landscape and Horticulture Club
Lynnhurst Environmental Committee
In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theater
​Boston Scientific Arden Hills
St. Agnes School
5th & 6th Grade Class
Glenwood Area Girl Scouts
Boston Scientific Maple Grove

Press

"Closing the loop with Plate to Garden Compost" 
Northeaster Newspaper - April 21, 2021

​"CHHS Key Club hosts fundraiser to encourage composting"
Hometown Source - May 4, 2017
​
"Plate to Garden Compost Program"
​BioCycle Magazine - May 2016

Past Plate to Garden Fundraising Events

Waconia School Event

Boston Scientific

MN Landscape Arboretum

McDonalds - Coon Rapids