Transcript U.S. Food Waste Challenge

November 2014
Food waste in the United States is estimated
at between 30-40 percent of the food supply
Food waste has far-reaching impacts
– Food security
– Natural Resources
– Climate change
Food waste is a food security issue
Wholesome food that is wasted could help
feed families in need through donations to
food pantries and soup kitchens.
Wasted food distorts attitudes about the
affordability of healthy diets.
Food waste is an natural resource issue
In 2010, an estimated 133
billion pounds of food from
U.S. retail food stores,
restaurants, and homes—
valued at approximately
$161 billion—went uneaten.
Food waste is a climate change issue
By reducing the amount of food we toss into the
trash, we can help reduce greenhouse gas
emissions.
U.S. Food Waste Challenge
Launched June 4, 2013
Reduce food loss and waste
Recover wholesome food for human
consumption
Recycle discards to other uses including
animal feed, composting, and energy
generation
USDA’s commitments to the
U.S. Food Waste Challenge
• Reduce food waste in the school-meals
programs
• Educate consumers about food waste and
food storage
• Streamline procedures for recovering
misbranded meat and poultry
USDA’s commitments to the
U.S. Food Waste Challenge
• Facilitate recovery of out-of-standard
imported produce
• Estimate and model food loss
• Conduct research on new technologies for
reducing food waste
Food and Nutrition Service Commitments to
Reduce Food Loss and Waste in the School Meals
Programs
 Present a webinar
 Develop and distribute a handout
 Create and distribute a PowerPoint
presentation
Sign Up Your School for the
U.S. Food Waste Challenge!
http://www.usda.gov/oce/foodwaste/join.htm
Share Your Success Story
Provide a platform for schools to help spur
adoption and development!
Send your schools success story to
[email protected]
Resources
• U.S. Food Waste Challenge Homepage
– http://www.usda.gov/oce/foodwaste/
• Webinars
– http://www.usda.gov/oce/foodwaste/webinars.html
• Frequently Asked Questions
– http://www.usda.gov/oce/foodwaste/faqs.htm
• Reducing Food Waste – What Schools Can Do Today
Infographic
– https://www.flickr.com/photos/usdagov/15032644782/sizes/l/