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Tag: food waste

Wasting food negatively affects food security, nutrition, the environment, and the economy. Successfully dealing with it remains a great challenge, especially in northern New Jersey.

In recognition of Hunger Action Month, we wanted to share these shocking facts about food waste in the hope of encouraging others to join us in our mission of rescuing food, reducing waste, and relieving hunger.

Note: These shocking facts about food waste were first published on Earth.org, a leading environmental news website.

  • Roughly one-fifth of the food produced that is intended for human consumption every year – around 1.3 billion tons and valued at $1 trillion – is wasted or lost. That is enough to feed 3 billion people. 
  • Food waste ends up wasting a quarter of our water supply in the form of uneaten food. That’s equated to $172 billion in wasted water.
  • Taking into account all the resources used to grow food, food waste uses up to 21% of freshwater, 19% of fertilizers, 18% of cropland, and 21% of landfill volume.
  • The food currently wasted in Europe could feed 200 million people, in Latin America 300 million people, and in Africa 300 million people. 
  • Annual per capita waste by consumers is between 95-115 kilograms (210-253 pounds) a year for Europeans and North Americans, while in South and Southeast Asia, it is 6-11kgs (13-24 pounds).
  • Food loss and waste account for about 4.4 gigatons of greenhouse gas emissions annually. 
  • Developed and developing countries waste or lose roughly the same amount of food every year, at 670 and 630 million tons respectively. Around 88 million tons of this is in the EU alone.
  • Breaking it down by food group, losses, and waste per year are roughly 30% for cereals, 40-50% for root crops and fruit and vegetables, 20% for oil seed and meat and dairy, and 35% for fish. 
  • If 25% of the food currently being lost or wasted globally was saved, it would be enough to feed 870 million people around the world. 
  • In developing countries, 40% of losses occur at the post-harvest and processing stages, while more than 40% of losses in developed countries occur at the retail and consumer levels. 
  • At the retail level, large quantities of food are wasted because of an emphasis on appearance half of all produce is thrown away in the US because it is deemed too “ugly” to eat; this amounts to 60 million tons of fruits and vegetables. 

As New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue, our mission is to reduce food waste and provide nourishment to our food-insecure neighbors throughout North Jersey. We rescue millions of pounds of fresh food annually that would otherwise be wasted and end up in landfills. This contributes to climate change. We deliver it to partner organizations who support the nearly 1 million people in our area who need it most.

Together, we can reduce food waste and make a positive impact on the planet. Every little bit of effort—no matter how small—leads to change.

The White House unveiled a national strategy recently to combat food waste and keep edible food out of landfills.

White House officials want to change the behavior of individuals and businesses to reduce waste by expanding food donations and other initiatives, an article by The New York Times stated.

According to ReFED, in 2021, the United States produced 91 million tones of unsold, uneaten food, the article stated. Nearly half of it was edible, but only 2 percent was donated.

Although the White House’s strategy contains no new regulations, Dana Gunders, ReFED’s Executive Director, called the strategy “a good first step.”

Officials in 2015 set a goal of cutting U.S. food waste in half by 2030. However, food waste actually increased between then and 2019, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Uneaten food ends up rotting in landfills, accounting for 16% of U.S. methane emissions.

Since our founding 25 years ago, Table to Table, New Jersey’s first food rescue organization, has rescued enough food for more than 311 million meals and saved 73,000 tons of CO2 from entering the environment.

We pick up fresh, high quality, and wholesome food that otherwise would be discarded. We deliver it safely to soup kitchens, homeless shelters, and senior facilities. You help us by utilizing the Table to Table I-Rescue app, powered by Food Rescue Hero.

Every one of us has, at some point, opened our refrigerator to find leftover food from meals prepared earlier in the week. Our first reaction is typically a pang of guilt at the sight of the limp green beans, dry chicken or wilted lettuce. The feeling of guilt is valid. Food waste is a big issue – but the good news is that there are easy ways we can all reduce it right in our own homes. Read on for some tips on how you can get started today! 

Buy Only What You Need 

The first step to reducing food waste is to make sure you’re buying what you really need at the grocery store and that means you should focus on meal planning. It sounds like a chore, but it’s truly a game-changer. Simply take a few minutes at the start of the week to plan out your meals. This way, you buy only what you need at the grocery store and avoid those impulse purchases that often end up going to waste. And, by following a recipe and making a grocery list, you can purchase the proper quantities of ingredients, so your food gets used. Plus, it can save you money in the long run and that’s a win-win! 

Understand Package Dates
Storage is Key 

Another easy way to reduce food waste is to properly store your food using good quality storage containers. Explore the best way to store different types of produce to keep them fresh for as long as possible – learn what goes on the counter, what belongs in bags, what should or shouldn’t be pre-washed. And don’t forget about your freezer. Many foods can be frozen for later use, like bread, meat, and pasta. Remember to label your containers so the contents and the date when you prepared and froze them are clearly listed.  

Love Your Leftovers 

Next, make a point of having an evening devoted especially to finishing any leftovers. Instead of letting them droop in the back of the fridge, try folding them into new meals. Got some roasted veggies from last night’s dinner? Throw them into an omelet for breakfast or a salad for lunch. Leftover chicken? Shred it up and make tacos or toss it into a stir-fry. Get creative and see what delicious dishes you can come up with!  

Compost 

Another great way to reduce food waste is to compost. Instead of tossing those fruit and veggie scraps into the trash where they’ll just end up in a landfill, you can turn them into nutrient-rich soil for your garden. Composting is easier than you might think, and it’s a great way to reduce your environmental impact while beautifying your garden. 

While reducing food waste at home, you can also support your neighbors – and your planet – by getting involved with Table to Table! As New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue, our mission is to reduce food waste and provide nourishment to our food-insecure neighbors throughout Northern New Jersey. Each year, we rescue millions of pounds of fresh food that would otherwise be wasted and deliver it to partner organizations who support the nearly 1 million people in our area who need it most. Visit us at www.tabletotable.org to learn how you can get involved as a supporter, a “Food Rescue Hero” volunteer, and more. 

Together, we can reduce food waste in our home and make a positive impact on the planet. Every little bit of effort—no matter how small—leads to change.  

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