Skip to main content
Skip to main content

<section class="usa-hero" style="background-image: url('/sites/default/files/hero-060619-5.jpg')"><div class="usa-grid">
<div class="usa-width-two-thirds"><br><br><br>

<h1 class="large-header">

<span class="usa-hero-callout-alt">Food Loss and Waste</span></h1>

<br><br><br><br>

</div>
</div>
</div>

</section>

<div class="usa-width-one-third">
<nav>
<ul class="usa-sidenav-list">
<li><a class="usa-current" href="">Food Loss and Waste</a>
<ul class="usa-sidenav-sub_list">
<li><a href="/foodlossandwaste/why">Why Should We Care About Food Waste?</a></li>
<li><a href="/foodlossandwaste/interagency">Federal Interagency Collaboration to Reduce Food Loss and Waste</a></li>
<li><a href="/foodlossandwaste/champions">U.S. Food Loss and Waste 2030 Champions</a></li>
<li><a href="/foodlossandwaste/activities">USDA Activities and Partnerships</a></li>
<li><a href="/foodlossandwaste/faqs">Frequently Asked Questions</a></li>
<li><a href="/foodlossandwaste/news">Latest News and Multimedia</a></li>
<li><a href="mailto:jean.buzby@usda.gov">Contact Us</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</nav>
</div>

<div class="usa-media_block usa-width-two-thirds">
<h2 class="usda-featured-header">The impact of food waste</h2>

<p class="usa-font-lead">In the United States, over one-third of all available food goes uneaten through loss or waste. When food is tossed aside, so too are opportunities for improved food security, economic growth, and environmental prosperity. USDA is uniquely positioned to help address the problem of food loss and waste through its programs, policies, and guidance.</p>
</div>

<section class="usa-section>

<div class="usa-grid">

<div class="usa-width-one-third"><br>
<div style="background-color: #edf6ed; padding: 20px 20px 15px 20px; text-align: center;"><img class="usa-media_block-img"><img alt="Green fruit icon" height="110" src="/sites/default/files/food-icon-4%402x.png" width="110">
<div class="usa-media_block-body">
<h3 style="margin-top:10px;"><a href="/foodlossandwaste/farmers">Farmers</a></h3>
<p>Take steps to fight food loss in the field and post-harvest.<br />

</div></div></div>

<div class="usa-width-one-third"><br>
<div style="background-color: #fdeef5; padding: 20px 20px 15px 20px"><img class="usa-media_block-img"><img alt="Strawberry fruit icon" height="110" src="/sites/default/files/
food-icon-7@3x.png" width="110">
<div class="usa-media_block-body">
<h3 style="margin-top:10px;"><a href="/foodlossandwaste/businesses">Businesses</a></h3>
<p>Take steps to fight food waste throughout the supply chain.<br />
</div></div></div>

<div class="usa-width-one-third"><br>
<div style="background-color: #fdefea; padding: 20px 20px 15px 20px"><img class="usa-media_block-img"><img alt="Carrots fruit icon" height="110" src="/sites/default/files/food-icon-1%402x.png" width="110">
<div class="usa-media_block-body">
<h3 style="margin-top:10px;"><a href="/foodlossandwaste/consumers">Consumers</a></h3>
<p>Learn how to shop smarter and reduce household food waste.<br />

</div></div></div>
</section>

<section class="usa-section>

<div class="usa-grid">

<div class="usa-width-one-third"><br>
<div style="background-color: #f5eaf0; padding: 20px 20px 15px 20px"><img class="usa-media_block-img"><img alt="Grapes fruit icon" height="110" src="/sites/default/files/food-icon-3%402x.png" width="110">
<div class="usa-media_block-body">
<h3 style="margin-top:10px;"><a href="/foodlossandwaste/schools">Schools</a></h3>
<p>Find strategies to reduce lunchroom food waste.<br />

</div></div></div>

<div class="usa-width-one-third"><br>
<div style="background-color: #fbece9; padding: 20px 20px 15px 20px"><img class="usa-media_block-img"><img alt="Apple fruit icon" height="110" src="/sites/default/files/
food-icon-6@3x.png" width="110">
<div class="usa-media_block-body">
<h3 style="margin-top:10px;"><a href="/foodlossandwaste/donating">Donating</a></h3>
<p>Learn about safe and responsible food donation.<br />

</div></div></div>

<div class="usa-width-one-third"><br>
<div style="background-color: #fffaeb; padding: 20px 20px 15px 20px"><img class="usa-media_block-img"><img alt="Cherry fruit icon" height="110" src="/sites/default/files/
food-icon-5@3x.png" width="110">
<div class="usa-media_block-body">
<h3 style="margin-top:10px;"><a href="/foodlossandwaste/funding">Funding</a></h3>
<p>Find USDA funding for projects and research on food loss and waste.<br />
</div></div></div>
</section>

<section class="usa-section" style="background-color:#9D3064"><div class="usa-grid usa-grid">

<section class="usa-grid usa-section">
<div class="usa-width-one-fourth"><img align="absmiddle" alt="Trash circle icon" height="165" src="/sites/default/files/food-icon-11.png" width="165"><br><br>
</div>
<div class="usa-width-three-fourths">
<h2><span class="usa-hero-callout-alt">Why should we care about food waste?</span></h2>
<span class="usa-hero-callout-alt"><p class="usa-font-lead">Food loss and waste has far-reaching impacts on food security and the environment. Reducing it could benefit us all.</p>

<a class="usa-button usa-button" href="/foodlossandwaste/why" target="_blank">Learn more</a>
</div>
</div>
</section>

AskUSDA

One central entry point for you to access information and help from USDA.