food waste
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Op-ed: New White House strategy backs food rescue efforts but more is needed to fight hunger and waste
Food waste statistics are moving in the wrong direction.
Inflated food prices and intense summer heat are top of mind for both consumers and producers of food around the country.
At the same time, the U.S. continues to struggle with massive amounts of food waste. Fortunately, by reducing that waste, we can help lower grocery bills and mitigate contributions to continued warming.
Food waste is a significant contributor to climate change: its breakdown accounts for 58% of landfill methane emissions. As food waste increases, emissionscontinue to climb, exacerbating climate change and increasingly inhospitable conditions for agricultural production.
Though it may be most visible to consumers, household waste is not the greatest contributor of discarded food. In fact, 38% of food (either domestic or imported) is wasted and nearly half of that waste is generated between harvest and point of sale. This statistic is especially shocking considering that 44 million people in the U.S. experiencefood insecurity. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) datareveal that 9 billion pounds of quality, nutritious food is thrown away each year.
To address this problem, the Biden-Harris administration released itsNational Strategy to Reduce Food Loss and Waste and Recycle Organics on June 12, 2024.This strategy proposes actions that reflect four objectives: preventing food loss, preventing food waste, promoting recycling of organic waste, and supporting food waste management policy.
One action proposed is increasing funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture to encourage research opportunities and food waste data collection. Another promotes involvement of the Risk Management Agency with farmers, crop insurance agents, and food rescue organizations to minimize on-farm food loss. The strategy aims to make progress toward theU.S. Food Loss and Waste 2030 Champions Pledge, a joint goal between the USDA, the EPA, and partnering businesses that aims for a 50% reduction in national food loss and waste by 2030.
Despite these efforts, waste statistics are moving in the wrong direction. The most recent 2019 EPA data show a steady increase in waste production since the pledge was announced in 2015. Supply chain disturbances during the COVID-19 pandemic likely slowed progress on food waste reduction, but this cannot be confirmed without updated data. More recent data are needed to provide an objective view of the nation’s current food waste production and a useful benchmark as the 2030 deadline approaches.
Moving the needle in the opposite direction will rely on changes to key policies—in addition to changes in practices by consumers and producers. The current 2024 farm bill reauthorization presents a timely opportunity to kindle progress.
The massive omnibus agricultural bill, most recently signed into law in 2018, provides afoundational framework for continued improvements in waste prevention and management. A 2022 collaborativereport by the Harvard Food Law and Policy Clinic, Natural Resources Defense Council, ReFED, and World Wildlife Fund proposed opportunities to improve food recovery in the next farm bill. Incorporating food donor protections is critical, considering that 50% of food manufacturers and 25% of wholesalers and retailers surveyed listed liability concerns as their main barrier to participating in food donation programs. Granting the USDA authority to interpret theBill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act can help reduce liability barriers and encourage organizations to donate. Providing protections for direct donations to individuals and non-profit organizations that charge a small fee can also extend the Emerson Act’s reach.
The current 2024 farm bill reauthorization presents a timely opportunity to kindle progress.
TheFood Loss and Waste Liaison position created in the 2018 farm bill is dedicated to coordinating and reporting on the research and management of food waste. ReFED and its collaborators recommend expanding this single position to an office. This would increase research attention, improve reporting capacity, and place an increased focus on food waste reduction strategies.
Existing farm bill programs already help support post-harvest food recovery infrastructure and provide logistical support for food waste distribution. But these grant-funded programs—such as the Regional Food System Partnerships Program and Value-Added Producer Grants Program (both part of the Local Agricultural Marketing Program [LAMP])—can be enhanced to have a broader impact. Making these changes through the 2024 farm bill would support the objectives outlined in the National Strategy with a win-win solution: reallocating food surplus to those in need.
Recent 2024 farm bill frameworks and drafts have been proposed by theSenate andHouse of Representatives agriculture committees, respectively. Disappointingly, neither draft included expansion of the Food Loss and Waste Liaison position to an office or updating the Emerson Act. But one victory for food waste reduction is proposed: increased funding for LAMP in both versions, reinforcing available resources for managing surplus.
Beyond policy, many businesses and organizations are already actively engaged in food rescue strategies, demonstrating the effectiveness of large-scale waste-management efforts. The USDA’sMilestones report highlights “2030 Champions,” corporations that are taking steps to reduce waste by 50% by 2030. Between 2016 and 2022, 45 businesses took this public pledge.
Nonprofit organizations also play important roles, with groups such asFarmlink andFood Rescue US helping to distribute food surplus from retailers and farmers to organizations supporting food-insecure populations. And theCareit app offers an online marketplace to connect restaurants, corporations, retailers, food distributors, and farmers with food pantries and other nonprofit groups that feed at-risk populations. Reallocating food surplus addresses hunger from a new angle, supporting public health and nutrition for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants and other at-risk groups.
TheNational Strategy to Reduce Food Loss and Waste and Recycle Organics was published on the same day that USDA Secretary Thomas Vilsack spoke at the 2024ReFED Summit, a diverse gathering of stakeholders that shared sustainable food rescue solutions. The level of attention presently placed on these topics representing stakeholders across the food supply chain as well as bipartisan Congressional leadership indicates both the gravity of the food waste issue and the substantial opportunity for positive change.
Food waste poses a daunting obstacle to overcome, but simple actions by the public can make a difference. Write to your legislators, contribute local food rescue organizations with your time or resources, and make efforts to reduce food waste in your home and workplace. Stay up to date on new policy changes and vote in favor of the leaders who share common goals. Support local producers and businesses who participate in the 2030 pledge. These actions, even at the individual level, can help minimize food waste, feed the hungry, and benefit the environment.
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Biden administration launches initiative to reduce food waste
The White House has introduced a comprehensive national strategy aimed at curbing food waste in the United States.
In short:
- The initiative seeks to change behaviors in businesses and homes, extend the shelf life of foods, and enhance food donation and composting efforts.
- The plan includes funding for research on food preservation technologies and consumer education on reducing waste.
- Compared to some state and international policies, the strategy lacks new regulations but is considered a positive starting point by experts.
Key quote:
“Everyone has a role to play in reducing food loss and waste, and I hope that these federal commitments will inspire and catalyze action in the private sector and communities around the U.S.”
— Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Agriculture
Why this matters:
Reducing food waste is important for lowering greenhouse gas emissions and improving food security. The U.S. discards nearly a third of its food supply, contributing significantly to environmental degradation and resource inefficiency.
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Tech alone won’t fix farm food waste without labor reforms
Farmers are using technology to reduce food waste, but without addressing labor abuses and immigration policies, these efforts fall short.
In short:
- New technologies like composting systems, anaerobic digesters, and AI programs are helping reduce farm food waste.
- Labor abuses and immigration issues remain significant obstacles to effective food waste management.
- Solutions include stricter enforcement of labor laws and pathways to citizenship for farmworkers.
Key quote:
“We got hit when we lost the crop. Growers who had invested millions of dollars got nothing in return. And once there were no longer any Florida tomatoes on the market, prices soared to over $20 a box.”
— Industry representative
Why this matters:
Addressing food waste requires technological advancements and significant labor reforms to ensure fair treatment of farmworkers and a stable agricultural workforce. When workers are treated fairly and protected by robust legal frameworks, they are more likely to perform their jobs effectively, leading to less food waste and a more resilient agricultural sector.
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How the world wastes an astonishing amount of food, in three charts
A recent UN report highlights how over a trillion dollars' worth of food is wasted annually, exacerbating climate change and food insecurity globally.
In short:
- The UN's 2024 Food Waste Index found that more than 780 million people were hungry in 2022, despite vast amounts of food being wasted.
- Food waste contributes up to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, worsening climate change.
- Solutions to food waste require coordinated efforts from governments, businesses, and individuals alike.
Key quote:
Food waste reduction is "an opportunity to reduce costs and to tackle some of the biggest environmental and social issues of our time: fighting climate change and addressing food insecurity."
— Report authors
Why this matters:
Food waste not only worsens global hunger but also significantly impacts the environment, making it crucial to address this issue to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ensure equitable food distribution. Read more: It is time to respect the planet’s boundaries—and overhaul how we eat and waste food—if we want to feed our rising population.
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Rethinking portion sizes and inventory to cut food waste
Artificial intelligence is tackling food waste by analyzing what gets tossed in restaurants and unsold in supermarkets, aiming for a greener future.
In short:
- AI tools are identifying surplus food issues, like oversized croissants and unsold onions, to reduce waste and save costs.
- Technologies like Winnow and Afresh offer solutions by monitoring trash and sales data, respectively, helping businesses make smarter decisions.
- Despite their potential, these AI solutions also confront challenges, including their environmental impact and the need for widespread action against food waste.
Key quote:
"It’s a problem that literally gets swept away."
— Marc Zornes, founder of Winnow
Why this matters:
Tackling food waste not only helps reduce unnecessary costs for businesses but also addresses significant environmental concerns, such as greenhouse gas emissions from decomposing food in landfills.
Be sure to read Brian Bienkowski’s 2019 piece: It is time to respect the planet’s boundaries—and overhaul how we eat and waste food—if we want to feed our rising population.
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Mottainai: In Japan, creativity is key to a no-waste ideal
Japan's celebrated principles of thrift and conservation further sustainability in the culinary world, brilliantly embracing scraps, leftovers and the whole animal.
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Want to reduce food waste, Ontario? Be more like Vancouver
Over 60 per cent of Ontario’s food waste ends up in landfills producing methane, even though the fixes are right in front of us.
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