Biden-Harris Administration Unveils Plan to Cut U.S. Food Loss and Waste

USDA, EPA, and FDA join forces to combat food loss and waste, and enhance organics recycling to create a circular economy. This groundbreaking draft strategy aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save money, and promote cleaner communities.

WASHINGTON, Dec 2, 2023 – In a collaborative effort, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have released the Draft National Strategy for Reducing Food Loss and Waste and Recycling Organics for public feedback. The Strategy is designed to coordinate specific actions by the three agencies to prevent food loss and waste, thereby lessening the environmental impact and climate effects caused by wasted food.

“Addressing the challenges of food loss and waste is crucial for the sustainability of agriculture, food, and the environment. To effectively combat this issue and ensure a resilient food system, it’s essential to explore and implement innovative solutions,” stated Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “This collaborative effort between USDA, EPA, and FDA will improve interagency coordination and represent a significant leap forward in stopping food loss and waste, increasing organic waste recycling, and promoting economic opportunities.”

The announcement was made today at COP28, the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference, and is a step forward in advancing USDA’s objectives of bolstering agriculture’s ability to address global food security, manage the impacts of climate change, and adopt innovative practices.

The draft strategy outlines four primary objectives:

• Preventing food loss whenever possible
• Minimizing food waste whenever possible
• Increasing organic waste recycling rates
• Advocating for policies that incentivize and encourage food loss and waste prevention and organic recycling

It builds on USDA’s previous initiatives to reduce food loss and waste through support provided for research, data development, and commercialization of new food technologies and innovations, implementation of compost and food waste reduction grants, and expansion of the U.S. Food Loss and Waste 2030 Champions program.

For each objective, the draft strategy identifies potential actions that USDA, EPA, and FDA will take. Some of the targeted USDA actions include:

• Investing $30 million in the Composting and Food Waste Reduction (CFWR) Cooperative Agreements
• Expanding partnerships with NIFA food system programs to develop educational materials, research, and outreach efforts for food loss and waste prevention
• Funding research and development of innovative new food packaging technology to extend the shelf life of food and prevent loss

USDA will also continue to reach out to businesses regarding the liability protections under the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act.

USDA is seeking public feedback on the Draft National Strategy for Reducing Food Loss and Waste and Recycling Organics. For more information, visit USDA.gov.

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