Today, the USDA is joining with Feeding America to launch a friendly competition among the nation’s food banks to sign up the most participants in the U.S. Food Waste Challenge. The food bank that registers the most donors as participants in the U.S. Food Waste Challenge will be honored in an event hosted by the Department of Agriculture. The competition runs from July 22 to August 30.
Food Banks can get their donors and partners to join the competition by signing up for the U.S. Food Waste Challenge on Feeding America’s website.
The U.S. Food Waste Challenge, which was inaugurated in June 2013 by USDA and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, calls on businesses and organizations across the country to join the effort to reduce food waste in the United States. The goal of the U.S. Food Waste Challenge is to lead a fundamental shift in how we think about and manage food and food waste in this country. To join the Challenge, participants list the activities they will undertake to help reduce, recover, or recycle food waste in their operations. The Challenge includes a goal of 400 partners by 2015 and 1,000 by 2020.
Food waste is roughly estimated at between 30-40 percent of the U.S. food supply. By reducing this waste, we can help ease pressure on our precious natural resources and feed families in need. Food producers, manufactures, and retailers are stepping up to do just that. Feeding America estimates that food donations supplied 2.7 billion meals to its clientele in 2010.
By joining the U.S. Food Waste Challenge, businesses that donate to the nation’s food banks are adding their voice to the growing movement to reduce food waste and keep wholesome food where it belongs; on someone’s plate. By signing up their donors, food banks are adding their voice to the growing movement to reduce the disgraceful prevalence of food waste and food insecurity existing side-by-side.
If your organization, company, or school is engaging in activities that reduces, recovers, or recycles food waste then we want you to join the U.S. Food Waste Challenge too. Sign up here – it takes less than 5 minutes.
To receive email updates about USDA’s food waste activities sign up here.