Friday Ombudsman: Jeffrey Miller
Jeffrey Miller, Founder of Fourth Harvest , a local food waste reduction startup
Tell us about a small or brief civic problem/issue you have tackled, possibly with a government agency. What was the key to breaking through the problem?
Since 2017, I have been quite focused on the food waste reduction movement both locally and nationally and have read extensively about the various food waste diversion tactics that go underutilized. The one I find most shocking is the lack of awareness of the incremental tax benefit available to companies that donate food to a 501c3 charitable organization - formally known as The Path Act. This benefit permits the donor to earn an additional tax deduction equal to 50% of the gross profit of the donated product itself. If you think it's just a coincidence that all of the major grocery retailers are partnered with Feeding America, then think again.
All that being, I believe it would greatly benefit the City of Cincinnati and those struggling with food security in Cincinnati, if all food service companies that have a contract with the city, be contractually required to donate all excess food inventory that falls within the national food donation and local food safety guidelines. In turn, these companies should be able to take the incremental tax benefit available to them via the PATH ACT.
The Friday Ombudsman questionnaire:
Your favorite Cincinnati places?
Ohio River Grass in the East End. All the curvy, winding streets, the Anderson Ferry, and all of the bike trails.
What is an “unwritten public etiquette rule” of Cincinnati-area life?
Purchase a York Peppermint Patty after eating at Skyline.
Who is your favorite Cincinnatian? Why?
Pat Sheeran. Because Pat extended his friendship to a complete stranger, me, when I moved to Cincinnati and, continues to this day, to introduce some of the oldest drinking establishments in the area. Thanks, Pat!
Defunct place or institution you would bring back?
Milan's Pizza and Subs, Anchor OTR, People's Liberty
New place or institution you would bring to Cincinnati?
The City Museum from St. Louis. If you've been there, then you're nodding your head right now.
Shameless Plug – use this space to plug one local Cincinnati-area event/organization/website/business/place/product that is special to you. Why should we know about it? What makes it singular?
The Cool Jazz Festival - do I really need to explain why?
Bio: Jeffrey’s passion for being in a kitchen is only slightly eclipsed by his love for discovering interesting things to eat. Being raised in a family of foodies has been a major influence in his life. After spending fifteen years in the culinary marketing world, Jeffrey began his professional cooking career at Kendall College in Chicago, IL and hasn’t looked back since. Catering had been a primary focus since 2007, which includes top-rated kitchens like Eat Well and Jeff Thomas, but most recently, Jeffrey has been at Kaze and will be joining the team at Pepp & Dolores, Thunderdome’s new restaurant opening in December. When not cooking or eating or reading about cooking and eating, Jeffrey immerses himself in the local food waste reduction movement through his startup Fourthharvest.com. Miller also volunteers as the Head Chef for the Cincinnati’s Table Dinner Series which helps bring awareness to the diverse range of refugee chefs that live and work in the greater Cincinnati area.
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