The 2015 Food Recovery Summit was sponsored by SERDC in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control, N.C. Department of Environmental Quality and BioCycle. Click HERE to download the document.
1. What a waste. Food waste is the No.1 item Americans throw away accounting for 21 percent (more | 2. It’s a great opportunity. Reducing food waste appears to be a daunting task, but rarely is there an issue of this size and scope with so much opportunity. There is already a nationwide foundation in place that includes charitable organizations, faith-based organizations, businesses, grocery stores, restaurants, food producers, local, state and federal government agencies and other stakeholders that are committed to addressing this issue through prevention, donation, composting and other practices. In addition, there is proven technology (e.g., anaerobic digestion) and best management practices in place to safely and efficiently manage this material. |
3. Knowledge is good. The awareness of this issue must be improved. The social, environmental and economic benefits of preventing and reducing food waste must be shared through education and outreach initiatives. All of us need to know how and what we can do at home, work and school. Get the word out. | 4. Infrastructure. Infrastructure. Infrastructure. It’s an absolute necessity. What is the best way to make infrastructure grow? The public and private sectors working together to create an efficient system for their community. State and local governments can play an integral role in this effort by developing and implementing food waste prevention campaigns. |
5. It’s a dating game. Food product dating is confusing and contributes to consumers wasting food. “Sell by,” “best if used by,” “use by” and other food product dating must be standardized and explained to | 6. The fear of donation. The single biggest restraint to food donation by companies and organizations is the fear of any liability issues both on the national and state level. Nationally, the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act was signed into law on October 1, 2006 to encourage the donation of groceries and food to non- |
7. Picture perfect produce. Fruit and vegetables combined are the largest segment of food waste. Why? Often produce is not harvested or tossed simply because retailers and consumers don’t want imperfect fruit and vegetables (irregular shape or size). This produce can help provide a healthy diet to those in need. | 8. There is a goal. Let’s meet it. Everyone wins. In September 2015, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the USDA announced the nation’s first food waste reduction goal calling to cut food waste in half by 2030. |
9. Planning is good, too. The closing session of the Food Recovery Summit focused on what is next and where we go from here. It was agreed that EPA will continue to work with stakeholders and develop a national work plan to address this issue and accelerate the progress that already has occurred. | 10. This is a new way to market recycling. The prevention and recovery of food waste provides another approach to promote waste reduction and recycling. |