Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)’s Post

In light of the Biden-Harris Administration's recent announcement of the National Strategy to Reduce Food Loss and Waste and Recycle Organics, I’m proud to share the strides we’re making at Too Good To Go in reducing food waste. This announcement marks a major step in achieving the administration’s goal to halve food waste by 2030, and further energizes our efforts. Specifically, Too Good To Go is championing essential food loss and waste provisions in the Farm Bill, and we need the support of Congress to make this happen. By endorsing the food waste provisions in @Senator Stabenow’s Farm Bill, we can solidify the partnership between the USDA, FDA, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and USAID. These provisions will pave the way for regional coordinators within the USDA, kickstart a national food waste education campaign, and foster collaboration among the USDA, EPA, and FDA. You can read more here: https://bit.ly/3VrMFTX. Public-private partnerships are essential, and we all have a role to play in reducing food waste. I invite you to join us and continue pushing forward, reducing food waste, and minimizing its environmental impact. Together, we can make a real difference. #FoodWaste #Sustainability #TooGoodToGo #FarmBill #ActNow

The Ohio State University is spearheading a $2.5 million U.S. Department of Agriculture-funded initiative to reduce food loss and waste in the United States. Brian Roe, professor of food, agricultural and environmental sciences at Ohio State University, will oversee a pilot consumer campaign targeting household food-waste reduction. Roe plans to collaborate with Rutgers University to create educational messages and campaign materials. According to Roe, the campaign is part of the USDA's ongoing efforts to combat food waste, following significant investments, including $57 million from the American Rescue Plan Act. "About one-third of all food is never consumed," Roe pointed out. "This project will try to identify a campaign to help consumers reduce the amount of food they're wasting so that they can experience the benefits of saving more money and helping out the environment and supporting food security." Roe's research focuses on how human behavior contributes to food waste. He found confusion over food package dates causes unnecessary waste and implementing uniform national food-labeling standards could greatly reduce discarded food. Roe noted the effort aligns with both interagency and international initiatives to reduce food waste. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack announced the renewal of an agreement to reduce food loss and waste, now including USAID in the effort. The collaboration emphasizes a unified commitment to educating Americans about the issue. Additionally, the #USDA has expanded the U.S. Food Loss and Waste 2030 Champions, involving industry leaders dedicated to cutting food waste in half by 2030. Roe stressed consumer behavior plays a vital role, noting using leftovers can save both money and time while contributing to overall waste reduction. "Consumers throughout the country and in Ohio, being able to creatively use their leftovers," Roe urged. "You spend a lot of money and time creating great meals that then oftentimes sit in the refrigerator and then end up in the garbage because you might not have been able to find a way to incorporate it into a future meal." The U.S. sends nearly $80 billion pounds of food to municipal solid-waste landfills annually, making food the largest category of material in landfills. The waste emits methane, a potent greenhouse gas, contributing to environmental harm. Roe added addressing food waste, especially at the household level, is critical to reduce emissions and improve the efficiency of food systems. Disclosure: Ohio State University contributes to our fund for reporting on Arts and Culture, Environment, and Social Justice. 

🚫 Government Rejects Mandatory Food Waste Reporting Despite 99% Support! 📢 🌍 It's disheartening to see progress stifled, especially when the cause has overwhelming support. In a surprising turn of events, the government has chosen to reject mandatory food waste reporting, despite a staggering 99% approval from the public, businesses, and environmental advocates alike. 🗑️🍽️ 🌱 Food waste is a pressing global issue that demands immediate action. With millions going hungry and our planet strained by wasteful practices, the need for transparency and accountability is crystal clear. It's unfortunate that despite the resounding call for change, the government has missed this golden opportunity to champion a cause that resonates with people from all walks of life. 🌎❌ 📣 We, as responsible citizens and conscientious business leaders, must not allow this setback to deter our commitment to reducing food waste. While the road ahead might be challenging, our determination remains unwavering. Let's continue to unite and drive change from the grassroots level, leveraging the power of collaboration, innovation, and education. 💪🌟 🙌 It's heartening to witness the unity and passion within our community, and I'm convinced that our collective efforts will eventually sway the decision-makers to realise the urgency of this matter. Let's keep the dialogue alive, share success stories, and work together to create a world where sustainable practices are not just an option but a necessity. 🌱🍴 https://lnkd.in/eX9V_3Ps #FoodWaste #SustainabilityMatters #TogetherForChange #FoodForThought #EnvironmentalAction #Earthy #GetEarthy

🚫 Government Rejects Mandatory Food Waste Reporting Despite 99% Support! 📢 🌍 It's disheartening to see progress stifled, especially when the cause has overwhelming support. In a surprising turn of events, the government has chosen to reject mandatory food waste reporting, despite a staggering 99% approval from the public, businesses, and environmental advocates alike. 🗑️🍽️ 🌱 Food waste is a pressing global issue that demands immediate action. With millions going hungry and our planet strained by wasteful practices, the need for transparency and accountability is crystal clear. It's unfortunate that despite the resounding call for change, the government has missed this golden opportunity to champion a cause that resonates with people from all walks of life. 🌎❌ 📣 We, as responsible citizens and conscientious business leaders, must not allow this setback to deter our commitment to reducing food waste. While the road ahead might be challenging, our determination remains unwavering. Let's continue to unite and drive change from the grassroots level, leveraging the power of collaboration, innovation, and education. 💪🌟 🙌 It's heartening to witness the unity and passion within our community, and I'm convinced that our collective efforts will eventually sway the decision-makers to realise the urgency of this matter. Let's keep the dialogue alive, share success stories, and work together to create a world where sustainable practices are not just an option but a necessity. 🌱🍴 https://lnkd.in/eX9V_3Ps #FoodWaste #SustainabilityMatters #TogetherForChange #FoodForThought #EnvironmentalAction #Earthy #GetEarthy

The Zero Food Waste Coalition ✈️ Capitol Hill! Last week, the ZWFC hosted an in-person advocacy day on Capitol Hill to continue urging Congress to prioritize food loss and waste (FLW) prevention efforts in federal policy. 🌟 The highlights 🌟 👥 Over 35 ZFWC members attended the event 🤝 We hosted 25 Congressional meetings representing 14 states 💬 Members advocated for our Farm Bill priorities—such as the NO TIME TO Waste Act and the Food Date Labeling Act—as well as our food loss and waste requests for FY 2025 Appropriations Given the recent movement on the 2024 Farm Bill, fiscal year 2025 Appropriations, and the National Strategy for Reducing Food Loss and Waste and Recycling Organics earlier that same week, we were eager to build upon the momentum and continue the conversation around FLW prevention and reduction! ✍️To see our full list of Farm Bill priorities, click here ➡️ https://shorturl.at/xfZfk  📩 To learn more about the Coalition’s efforts, email [email protected] or visit zerofoodwastecoalition.org #ZFWCHillDay2024

Exciting to see legislation and a potential for a Food Waste section at the USDA!! Powerful stuff and key to actually moving on the goal of reducing the overall food waste in a big way. #FoodWaste #ClimateAction #ClimateChange #NoTimeToWasteAct

Food Recovery Network is an amazing organization actively working to reduce food waste and feed people. Starting a Food Recovery Network chapter at the CMC Steamboat campus as a student changed the trajectory of my life and I am so grateful for the work they do. Nine years later, the chapter I began is still actively recovering food and distributing it to people in our community. This is a perfect example of how collaboration and partnerships among organizations (Sodexo USA, Colorado Mountain College and Lift Up of Routt County) can create change within a community. Obviously, the goal is to reduce or not to create the waste in the first place, but if it’s going to happen, at least we can support people experiencing food insecurity. These policies to support food recovery are another step towards a more sustainable food system.

I and my company Global Cooking School are thrilled to share that we have joined the Zero Food Waste Coalition, which brings together advocates, policymakers, food producers, retailers, and consumers to advance food waste reduction at the federal, state, and local levels. At my company, we have been committed to reducing food loss and waste through education, upcycling, lobbying law makers, and writing. By joining the Zero Food Waste Coalition, we are committed to taking collective action to ensure the US reaches its goal to halve food waste by 2030. For the 2023 Farm Bill, we are calling to: 1) Create a food loss and waste reduction office within USDA with both mandatory and authorized funding. 2) Increase funding for state and local planning, policy change, and infrastructure to reduce waste and enhance food recovery. 3) Coordinate and fund research in food waste prevention, upcycling, and animal feed solutions. 4) Standardize and clarify date labels. To learn more about our efforts or to join this coalition, visit: https://lnkd.in/gkFaQTvW #ZeroFoodWasteCoalition #foodpolicy #foodrecovery #foodwaste

“The best solution for food waste is to not have it in the first place. If we don't need to produce all that food, let's not put all the resources into producing that food.” So, only produce the exact amount and types of food needed by society. Simple, right?