At the heart of Bedford, New York — a town known for its rich greenery and tight-knit community — the Bedford Community Composting Initiative (BCCI) was born out of a shared passion for the environment and a desire to make real change, right from home.

Founded by Luke Childs, BCCI began as a simple idea: to make composting accessible, educational, and impactful for local families. Shortly after its launch, Luke invited his close friend and fellow environmental advocate, Blair Sontag, to join as co-founder. Together, they brought BCCI to life — not as a business, but as a mission to reduce food waste, promote sustainability, and connect neighbors through action.

Once a Bedford resident signs up using one of the posted flyers, either Luke or Blair contacts them directly to confirm interest. After confirmation, the family receives a 3-gallon composting bin and a simple guide explaining what materials are accepted — mostly fruit and vegetable scraps, with meat, dairy, and oily foods excluded. When the bin is full, participants notify Luke or Blair for a pickup.

The food scraps are then delivered to Luke’s home, where they are placed into a composting tumbler. Over several weeks, the waste is broken down into nutrient-rich compost. This compost helps nourish a flock of ten backyard leghorn chickens, which produce eggs weekly. Half of the eggs are shared with participating families, and the other half are donated to the Mount Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry, closing the loop between sustainability and community support.