June 12, 2024 | USDA |
On June 12, 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the White House unveiled a National Strategy to Reduce Food Loss and Waste and Increase Organic Recycling. This initiative, part of President Biden’s comprehensive climate action plan, aims to cut food loss and waste by 50% by 2030, align with sustainable development goals, and foster a circular economy.
The strategy outlines four main objectives: preventing food loss, reducing food waste, increasing organic waste recycling, and supporting policies for these goals. Key actions include investing in consumer education, funding research on food loss prevention, and promoting public-private partnerships. The USDA plans to invest $2.5 million in testing consumer messages and $1.5 million in a new research center to address food waste.
The strategy is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save money for households and businesses, and support environmental justice. The EPA estimates that U.S. food waste contributes significantly to methane emissions, underscoring the need for this initiative. The strategy also builds on previous USDA efforts and includes renewed partnerships with industry leaders committed to reducing food waste.