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Food Waste Solutions & Statistics - Reducing Food Waste in the U.S.ReFED is a leading food waste nonprofit driving solutions to reduce food waste in the U.S. Explore data, strategies, and innovations for prevention and impact.Food Waste Solutions & Statistics - Reducing Food Waste in the U.S. About (current) Back Who We Are Mission & Vision Our Values Our History Equity and Inclusion Our Team Staff Board of Directors Advisory Council Our Funders How to Donate Overview Documents Annual Reports Financials Brand Guidelines Careers Current Vacancies Perks and Benefits Working at ReFED Our Work (current) Back Our Focus Areas Data & Insights Capital & Innovation Stakeholder Engagement Business Services Our Initiatives Catalytic Grant Fund Pacific Coast Food Waste Commitment COVID-19 Accelerator Program Our Impact Theory of Change Case Studies Food Waste (current) Back The Problem Overview Food Waste Facts Barriers to Solutions Solutions Overview Roadmap to 2030 Key Action Areas Solutions Key Levers Stakeholder Recommendations Key Topics Climate and Resources Consumer Food Waste Circular Economy Date Labeling ReFED Insights Engine Food Waste Monitor Solutions Database Solution Provider Directory Impact Calculator Capital Tracker Policy Finder Resource Library Publications Federal Grants Database Insights Engine Engage (current) Back Ways to Engage What You Can Do Become a Funder Work with Us Networks Food Waste Action Network Food Waste Funder Circle Solution Providers Events Upcoming Events Past Events Food Waste Solutions Summit Stay Connected with ReFED Subscribe Sign up for our newsletter and other email updates. Insights Engine (current) Contact Newsroom Stay Connected Donate ReFED is working across the food system to reduce food loss and waste. ReFED is working across the food system to reduce food loss and waste. With our deep sector knowledge, convening power, and full view of the supply chain, we're advancing solutions that generate large-scale impact. Learn About Food Waste Latest News & Updates Featured Article Five Food Waste Solutions Added to ReFED’s Insights Engine May 20, 2025 See more news, updates, articles, press releases, newsletters, and more in our Newsroom. View All Event [REGISTER] Appetite for Change: What GLP-1s May Mean for Food Waste May 22, 2025 Article Meet the 2025 Summit Sponsors: A Q&A with Chick-fil-A May 19, 2025 Article New White Paper Shares Insights from the ReFED Catalytic Grant Fund’s Restaurant Open Call May 9, 2025 Article GUEST BLOG: The Power of Small Actions with Big Impact May 5, 2025 See more news, updates, articles, press releases, newsletters, and more in the Newsroom View All New Report From Surplus to Solutions: 2025 ReFED U.S. Food Waste Report Our yearly report features the latest data on the progress, trends, and challenges in reducing food waste in the United States. With sections covering the impacts of food waste on the economy, natural resources, and food insecurity, plus deep-dive analyses of waste reduction efforts at businesses, the policy landscape, solutions funding, food donation, and more, this year’s report shows that while we're seeing significant momentum, waste remains stubbornly high. Read the Report Sign Up for Our Mailing List Stay on top of what’s happening in the fight against food waste—plus be the first to find out about news, events, funding opportunities, job postings, and more from ReFED and others in the space. Join the Mailing List Here's How You Can Take Action Food waste is a systemwide problem, so solving it will require systemwide action. That’s why we operate with a “big tent” mindset. No matter how you’re connected to the food system, there’s a lot that you can do right now to reduce food waste and bring about change—and we’re here to help. For Food Businesses Turn Commitments Into Action As waste generators, businesses have a special responsibility to commit to progress and take action to reduce food waste. Luckily, there’s a range of solutions—from breakthrough innovations to basic best practices—that can transform your operations. We can show you what works. Learn how our Business Services program can help Explore food waste solutions and their impacts Find partners at the Food Waste Solutions Summit For Funders/Investors Reach Your Investment Goals Capital of all types is needed to scale food waste reduction solutions, and we’re here to help you make impactful investments. We offer a comprehensive data-driven assessment of financing opportunities, plus more resources and services to help you develop your strategy. Learn where funding is needed the most Join our Food Waste Funder Circle Examine the food waste funding landscape with our Capital Tracker For Food Waste Solution Providers Maximize Your Impact We’re committed to helping you grow your impact through partnership opportunities, awareness building, pitch events, and a range of tools and resources—all designed to help get your solution in front of funders and prospective business partners. Explore our solution provider resources Add your business to our Solution Provider Directory Tell us your funding needs—take our survey For Policymakers Help Incentivize Action Policy has the power to spark action, and across the country, federal, state, and local policymakers have opportunities to jump-start necessary change. Our food waste statistics and resources can educate you on what’s working, what’s needed—and the potential impact. Learn about the problem See which federal and state policies are working Explore current policy opportunities For the Media Spread the Word Everyone is connected to the food system and faced with the impacts of food waste. That means there’s a range of potential angles when it comes to food waste stories. ReFED has reporters covered with the most recent food waste statistics and data, expert sources, and more. Reach out with a media request Access our media toolkit Learn about our staff New to Food Waste? Find Your Place In This Fight We all have a role to play in reducing food loss and waste, and the best way to determine yours is to start at the beginning—by learning about the causes and extent of food waste and which solutions can have the greatest impact. Learn about the problem Explore solutions and their impacts Stay connected—sign up for our mailing list Food Waste By The Numbers In 2023, 31% of all food in the U.S. went unsold or uneaten—and most of that ended up as waste. Learn More As part of the TED Countdown Dilemma Series, ReFED President Dana Gunders spoke about food waste and its solutions. That's equivalent to: 120 Billion Meals That could have gone to the food insecure $382 Billion Approximately 1.4% of U.S. GDP 62% of Annual Emissions From passenger vehicles in the U.S. in 2022 24% of Landfill Volume Resulting in 59% of landfill methane HOW REFED is transforming the food system ReFED is the leading food waste nonprofit, leveraging a holistic view of the food system to collaborate with key audiences and drive coordinated action. Recognized as a leading voice for change, we accomplish our work by: Leveraging Data & Insights Tackling food waste requires a deep understanding of the problem, yet reliable information is scarce and fragmented. ReFED is a definitive source for data and economic analysis on food waste in the United States and the solutions to fight it, with a trusted history of producing insights and tools that support action. Catalyzing Capital & Innovation Food waste solutions offer environmental, social, and economic returns. ReFED is driving this impact by empowering innovators and shepherding the capital needed for scale, with a suite of best-in-class resources specifically designed for funders and solution providers. Mobilizing Businesses The businesses that grow, sell, and serve our food play a critical role in reducing food waste—and in supporting the efforts of their customers to do the same. ReFED's Business Services team provides the know-how to guide businesses toward sustainable, high-impact solutions, turning ambitious goals around food surplus into tangible results. Cultivating Community Food waste occurs up and down the supply chain, making cross-sector collaboration and coordination essential. ReFED connects stakeholders from across the food system through partnerships, affinity networks, events—including our annual Food Waste Solutions Summit—and more to drive food waste prevention. Explore Our Work Featured In Key Topics From food waste’s impact on the economy and climate to its role in driving food system inequality and more, here’s what people are talking about. Climate Funding Solutions Policy Innovation & Technology ReFED Updates JEDI Key Issues Data & Insights Partnerships Explore Our Resources Library Featured Resource From Surplus to Solutions: 2025 ReFED U.S. Food Waste Report Across the food system, nearly one third of all food is lost or wasted as it makes its way from farms to our plates. This report represents a landscape assessment, pulling together ReFED data analysis and modeling with external research, supported by qualitative narratives developed through our work with partners across the food waste ecosystem. Read Report The Methane Impact of Food Loss and Waste in the United States Read More Repurpose with a Purpose: Operational Research Project Report Read More Big Progress in Reducing Retail Food Waste Read More The Methane Impact of Food Loss and Waste in the United States Repurpose with a Purpose: Operational Research Project Report Big Progress in Reducing Retail Food Waste Building a Food System That Works for Everyone: A Look at the Intersecti... See additional reports, fact sheets, action guides, and more in our Resources Library. See All Resources Donate to ReFED Reducing food waste is a core solution to fight climate change, and it can quickly decrease levels of atmospheric methane. It also helps increase food security and make the best use of the money being spent to grow, harvest, process, transport, store, and consume food. Your support of ReFED helps us create the system-level impact that’s needed to drive real change. Support ReFED Careers Newsroom Media Inquiry Contact ReFED Terms of Use Privacy Policy Notice of Nondiscrimination Disability Nondiscrimination Plan & Accessibility Statement Stay Connected with ReFED Sign up for our newsletter and other updates. Subscribe Support our Mission Make a Gift to ReFED Donate Our 4-Star Rating from Charity Navigator and Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid mean that you can donate with confidence! ReFED, Inc. is a 100% remote organization. Our mailing address is 122 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 1390-L74, Chicago, IL 60603.ReFED, Inc. is a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Tax ID: 83-1579781 Join Our Mailing List! Stay on top of what’s happening in the fight against food waste—plus be the first to find out about news, events, funding opportunities, job postings, and more from ReFED and others in the space. Subscribe The Latest Food Waste News—Straight to Your Inbox Subscribe to Our Mailing List Stay on top of what’s happening in the fight against food waste—plus be the first to find out about ReFED news, events, funding opportunities, and more.enen1770948121https://refed.org