In 2018 approximately 35 million tons of wasted food went to municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills, accounting for about 24% of all waste. MSW landfills are the third largest source of human-related methane emissions in the United States. On average, 20¢ out of every $1 spent on groceries is wasted. Reducing food waste also has a large impact on a family’s budget.
What is food waste? 
“Food waste” is a single component of “Food loss”. Waste describes the food that is not consumed by people after it has left the farm. It is quantifiable and trackable on a macro level.
Why is so much food wasted?
Food is wasted for many reasons including poor storage, spillage, confusion over “use-by” and “best before” dates, over-consumption, plate waste, and seasonal factors.
Can we solve food waste?
Yes! Start by making a shopping list based on what you already have at home and what you want to make each week. When you go out to eat, ask for a storage container. Visit WastedFoodStopsWithUs.org to review our food storage guide for tips and tricks about keeping your food fresher longer.
Wasted food stops with us! If we work together to learn, teach, and apply new skills we can reduce food waste, save money, and preserve resources for future generations.