MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is giving a shout-out to three Minnesota venues for reducing their food waste.

Through its Food Recovery Challenge, the EPA encourages organizations to donate unused food and recycle their scraps to reduce waste, feed the needy and save money.

The federal agency marked America Recycles Day on Thursday by recognizing the Minnesota Twins and Target Field in Minneapolis, St. Paul’s RiverCentre and Xcel Energy Center, and the city of Eagan’s Event Center.

EPA Regional Administrator Susan Hedman says that by reducing their food waste, they prevented many tons of food scraps from entering landfills, where it would have decomposed and produced methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

The EPA is encouraging other businesses and schools to join the Food Recovery Challenge as well.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)