May 24, 2025. Vanguard Renewables, a national leader in organics recycling and renewable energy, announced the opening of its newest anaerobic digestion and depackaging facility, located at Dinnerbell Farms, a family-owned dairy farm in Eden, Wisconsin.
This innovative facility marks a significant step forward in advancing circular economy and regenerative farming practices across the Midwest. The site will transform food and beverage waste, including both packaged and unpackaged materials, into renewable natural gas (RNG), liquid digestate for land application, and high-quality animal bedding, supporting soil health and long-term farm viability.
“With Dinnerbell Farms and our feedstock partners, we are not only keeping food waste out of landfills but creating meaningful value for local farms and food producers,” said Michael O’Laughlin, CEO at Vanguard Renewables. “This facility exemplifies how both food and beverage waste can become a resource, supporting the farming community while offering manufacturers and retailers a scalable, cost-effective way to de-risk their operations and meet sustainability goals.”
Already nearing full capacity, the Eden facility is currently seeking select types of feedstocks to round out its intake mix. Ideal partners include companies in retail, food manufacturing, beverage manufacturing, cold storage, distribution, and organic materials management.
For food and beverage companies navigating regulatory pressures, rising landfill costs, and Scope 3 emissions mandates, anaerobic digestion offers an effective solution to reduce environmental impact and operational risk, without compromising cost efficiency.
A second Wisconsin site, Peterson Family Dairy, in River Falls—just 30 minutes east of Minneapolis/St. Paul—is also underway and will begin accepting materials later this year.