Government looks for 50% food waste reduction by 2030

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have announced the United States’ first-ever national food waste reduction goal, calling for a 50-percent reduction by 2030.

While everyone agrees that such waste does not make sense while people are hungry in other areas of the U.S., the critical thing is improving shopping for groceries and promotion of ways to minimize food waste. “By reducing wasted food in landfills, we cut harmful methane emissions that fuel climate change, conserve our natural resources, and protect our planet for future generations” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy in a press release.

What’s more, it is estimated that the reduction of food waste by 15 percent would provide enough food for more than 25 million Americans every year, dramatically reducing the spread of food insecurity.

Food loss and waste is single largest component of disposed US municipal solid waste, and accounts for a significant portion of US methane emissions. After its launch the program rapidly grew, gaining over 4,000 participants by the end of 2014.

Leslie Sarasin, president and CEO of the Food Marketing Institute, a food retailers’ trade association, said the industry supports cutting food waste because it operates on a “razor-thin” margin of 1 or 2 percent. USDA says it will build on these successes with additional initiatives targeting food loss and waste reduction throughout its programmes and policies. In addition, a new section on ChooseMyPlate.gov will educate consumers about reducing food waste to help stretch household budgets.

There are several factors which have led to this excessive waste of food. Last year, GMA member companies recycled 93 percent of the food waste generated from manufacturing and donated 106 million pounds of food to food banks. The fact is that American households throw out an average of $640 worth of food annually. In the meantime, one in six Americans doesn’t have a steady supply of food.

25 percent of the nation’s fresh water goes into producing food that is never eaten. “Once it’s there, it produces methane, which is a greenhouse gas”.

“The USDA and EPA are showing leadership by announcing a national goal that will ensure more food gets from the farm to the fork and will save consumers money”.

The announcement comes a week before the United Nations is expected to set its own sustainability goals.