To get an idea of the differences in various finishes, sets of boxes were given different water-protective treatments. These included commercial water sealers, linseed oil, and exterior-quality paint. After two years, the paint treatment was judged to offer the best combination of water protection and aesthetic improvement. The initial populations of worms, obtained from local home vermicomposters, grew rapidly in a few months. The worms adapted well to a variety of food materials.
Spoiled produce remains the primary source of food.
Processed fruits and vegetables, removed from opened canned products received through salvage programs, were introduced during the first winter, when donations of produce dropped. Meat and dairy products, contaminated food, and dough, continue to be disposed. Food Lifeline uses leaves from the campus where it is located as a bedding in the bins. This leaf bedding serves many important functions, while reducing yard waste recycling costs. It creates a textured material in which the worms live and move.