By Avery Cecere



Have you ever considered all of the energy that goes into producing the food that you eat? Over one-third of all food produced in the US is never even eaten. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) data shows that food waste is the single most common material disposed of in the U.S. (USDA, 2022). Think of how many times you have been eating a meal at home and couldn’t manage to finish your plate, or the amount of times you forgot about food in the fridge and let it go bad. Now imagine all the people eating in restaurants, schools and grocery stores doing the exact same thing. It’s happening all around the world! The small amounts of food that we toss in the garbage does not seem like a big deal on its own but it adds up fast, and is left to rot in our landfills. The food rotting in our landfills is releasing methane, a potent greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere and polluting our planet.

We often think of food being wasted as a social concern – that wasted food could be feeding millions of families. The matter is not only a social concern but also a major environmental issue.

What is a carbon footprint?

A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases (specifically carbon dioxide) emitted by an individual, group, event, service, etc.

Typically when we think of our carbon-footprint, we reflect on how often we recycle, how often we drive our cars, or how much electricity we use in our homes. We usually are not considering other habits such as how much food are we wasting?

Have you ever thought of the steps that took place in order to get your food to your table? What happened to get that burger onto your plate? Did you know a 1/3 pound burger requires about 660 gallons of water to make? (National Geographic) When we waste our food, we waste all of the energy and water it takes to grow, harvest, process, transport and package the food. All of the activities that take place to produce food, create greenhouse gas emissions that harm the Earth. By making a thoughtful effort to reduce your food waste, you can reduce your carbon footprint and help make a positive global impact.

What can you do to help reduce food waste at home?

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), each year consumers waste about $1,500 of food per family of four. Being mindful about food waste prevention can help you save time and money!

1. Shop with Intention

Many times people buy more than they can eat. Try to make a list of items before going grocery shopping, and stick to your list. This will help you avoid impulsive purchasing decisions and focus on buying only what you need.

Also, make an effort to use up all of your food from your last visit to the store, before buying more.

2. Purchase Ugly Fruits

If possible, purchase “ugly” fruits or vegetables. “Ugly” produce is produce that has physical imperfections but is perfectly safe and nutritious to eat. People often try to pick out the best looking produce at the store, so the “ugly” produce gets left behind and often thrown out! By purchasing ugly fruits and vegetables, you can reduce food waste by preventing nutritious produce from ending up in a landfill.

3.     Donate

If you have more food at home than you need, consider donating your extra supply of packaged foods to the Palm Beach County Food Bank. Read more about USDA food expiration guidelines here.

4.     Use your freezer!

If in doubt, freeze your food! Freezing food is a great way to preserve fresh food items until you are ready to eat them. You can freeze excess produce, leftovers, and meals to prevent them from going bad and ending up in the trash.

What is the Palm Beach County Food Bank doing to reduce Food Waste and Food Loss?

Often times restaurants, farmers, or supermarkets have extra food that is safe to eat. The Palm Beach County Food Bank partners with farmers, restaurants, retailers, grocers and other food service companies to recover food before it goes to waste. We redistribute food to save it from ending up in landfills while also strengthening food systems.

How we produce food today, creates a lasting impact on our environment. We can all be more aware of what we are eating and how our choices affect those around us as well as our planet!

Eating Water Up: The Water “Footprint” of Food (nationalgeographic.com)

Consumers | USDA

Food Waste and its Links to Greenhouse Gases and Climate Change | USDA