In November of 2001 Santa Monica College installed a 16 ft. long temperature controlled Vermitech machine (the second of its kind in California) for recycling food waste from the cafeteria.  The City of Santa Monica appropriated $25,000 for this project.  A matching grant of $25,000 came from the Esper A. Peterson Foundation.  SMC paid $20,000 for an awning and electrical connection system and provides labor and management for its daily operation.