The chart below tracks the flow of food surplus to its final destination, as well as which sectors were responsible.
That's more than enough to pay for an entire month's worth of groceries for that same family of four.
The greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from each step of the supply chain add up quickly.
Image adapted from: https://refed.org/food-waste/climate-and-resources/
Instead, states have come up with various regulations that often fail to distinguish between food safety and food quality, leaving consumers confused about whether a food item is truly unsafe to eat, or simply a little past its prime.
Explore this interactive guide to find out if you’re storing your food properly.
Learn about successful food waste policies, and vote for representatives who support similar legislation in your state and local community.
According to a study conducted by ReFED, standardizing date labels nationally could provide $2.41 billion in annual economic value. Further, policy changes related to date labeling have the potential to divert 582,000 tons of waste per year.
As consumers, we have many ways to make a difference in reducing the amount of food waste in the United States.