Headline: The US has committed to cutting food waste in half – we’re nowhere near it
The United States has made a bold commitment to reduce food waste in half by 2030, setting a target to save $2 trillion in economic benefits and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 4.5 gigatons. While this may seem like a clear goal, a closer examination reveals that the country is still largely off track to meet this ambitious target.
Food waste, or the discarding of edible food, is a staggering issue worldwide, with the United States being no exception. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), one-third of all food produced globally is lost or wasted, which is approximately 1.3 billion tonnes of food per year. In the US, it’s estimated that 40% of food is thrown away, equating to around 93 billion meals per year, or roughly $940 billion in economic losses.
So, what’s been done so far to address this crisis? In 2019, the Trump administration launched the Food Loss and Waste Reduction Initiative, aiming to cut food waste in half by 2030. While the initiative is encouraging, progress has been slow and fragmented, lacking a clear national strategy and sufficient resources to drive change.
So, what’s going wrong? One major obstacle is the lack of standardization in food date labels. Confusing and inconsistent labeling practices confuse consumers, contributing to the disposal of still-edible food. Additionally, the nation’s food supply chain is complex, with multiple stakeholders, making it challenging to coordinate efforts and track progress.
Another issue is the absence of robust food waste tracking and reporting mechanisms. Without reliable data, it’s hard to measure progress, identify where inefficiencies exist, and develop targeted solutions. In addition, the lack of economic incentives for food redistribution and recovery hinders the ability to scale up successful initiatives.
Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the problem, as food waste and insecurity have increased alongside economic uncertainty and disrupted global supply chains. The pandemic has also highlighted the critical role of food waste reduction in addressing climate change, as methane emissions from landfills contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions.
To overcome these challenges and meet the 2030 target, the US needs to take immediate and concerted action. Here are a few key steps:
- Develop a comprehensive national strategy: Create a clear plan, with measurable goals, targets, and timelines, to drive food waste reduction.
- Standardize food date labels: Implement harmonized labeling practices to clarify what "use by" and "best before" mean, reducing consumer confusion.
- Strengthen food waste tracking and reporting: Establish robust data collection and analysis to monitor progress, identify areas for improvement, and develop targeted solutions.
- Mobilize the private sector: Encourage businesses to adopt best practices, invest in food waste reduction, and develop new technologies and innovative solutions.
- Scale up food waste recovery and redistribution: Increase investment in food banks, shelters, and other organizations to rescue surplus food and redistribute it to those in need.
- Provide economic incentives: Offer financial and regulatory support to stimulate food waste reduction, reuse, and recycling.
In conclusion, while the US has made a bold commitment to cut food waste in half, the country is still far from achieving this goal. To succeed, a comprehensive and coordinated approach is necessary, requiring the efforts of government, businesses, and individuals. By working together, we can reduce food waste, alleviate hunger and poverty, and contribute to a more sustainable and food-secure future.
