As National Food Waste Prevention Week unfolds, the U.S. Congress has launched a renewed bid to tackle the issue of food loss and waste across the nation. Bipartisan Representatives Chellie Pingree and Dan Newhouse have relaunched the Congressional Food Recovery Caucus, a group aimed at reducing the staggering amount of food waste in America.
Addressing Food Waste Across the Nation
According to Pingree, 30 percent of food in the U.S. is wasted. This staggering statistic highlights the extensive resources involved in food production, transportation, and distribution. The effort to grow, transport, and distribute food results in significant losses, with many people going hungry every day.
“It’s the effort that went into growing it, it’s the transportation moving food all over the country, it’s the water, it’s so many resources that go into it and then we have that many people that go hungry every single day,”
– Representative Chellie Pingree
The Congressional Food Recovery Caucus
- Focuses on educating Congressional members and staff about food waste and recovery efforts
- Supports federal initiatives to tackle food waste and promotes successful food recovery programs nationwide
- Collaborates with food waste prevention organizations and advocacy groups to amplify the impact of their work
The caucus aims to bridge the gap between food waste prevention and recovery efforts, creating a comprehensive approach to addressing this complex issue.
The Impact of Food Waste in America
Food waste has significant environmental, social, and economic impacts. It contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution, and loss of agricultural resources. According to the United Nations, one-third of all food produced globally is lost or wasted.
- Environmental Impact: Food waste contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, with an estimated 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions attributed to food loss and waste
- Social Impact: Food waste affects millions of people worldwide, with many facing hunger and food insecurity
- Economic Impact: Food waste costs the global economy an estimated $1.3 trillion annually
Local Efforts in Combating Food Waste
In Portland, Wayside Food Programs has been a leader in combating food waste and feeding those in need for over 35 years. The organization’s efforts aim to recover surplus food and distribute it to local food pantries, farms, and other organizations.
| Wayside Food Programs | Efforts to Combat Food Waste |
|---|---|
| Food Rescue Program: Partners with local grocers, farms, and food manufacturers to recover surplus food | Donates recovered food to local food pantries, farms, and other organizations |
| Trucking Program: Operates two trucks daily to pick up surplus food from various sources | Donates food to those in need, providing food assistance to the community |
Quote from Elaine Fiore, Co-Founder of Food Waste Prevention Week
“The cool thing about it is it creates a space for people who may not be working together to all come together, raise awareness, learn from each other, take action on ways we can prevent wasting food,”
– Elaine Fiore
Getting Involved
For those interested in donating food to Wayside Food Programs or supporting Food Waste Prevention Week, there are several ways to get involved.