Why is Food Waste a Problem?

Wasted food is a social problem: Many of our neighbors struggle to access enough food every day. 1 in 5 children in Tompkins is food insecure. Wholesome, nutritious food should feed people, not landfills.

Wasted food is an environmental problem: Food is the largest stream of materials in American trash. Once wasted food reaches landfills, it produces methane, contributing about 8% of total US greenhouse gas emissions. It also uses 25% of our freshwater resources and 300 million barrels of oil every year to produce food that is then thrown away.

Wasted food is an economic issue: It is estimated that at the retail and consumer levels in the United States, food loss and waste totals $161 billion dollars.  An average family of four throws away over $1,500 worth of good food every year. 

How Can I Learn More to Reduce my Own Food Waste?

• The EPA's Reducing Food Waste at Home
• The New York State Association for Reduction, Reuse, and Recycling Strategies for Residents
• The USDA's summary of Food Waste with resources for farms, businesses, schools and consumers
• Northeast Waste Management Officials' Association's - Virtual ReCook Cafe

Food Waste Reduction Video Classes

Check out the Food as Medicine Tompkins YouTube channel and learn to:

• Not Waste A Bite through Meal Planning
• Use What You Have On Hand with Flexible Recipes
• Store Your Food Well and Use Up What is Getting Old First
• Turn Leftovers Into Something New