USDA estimates that 30 percent of the food supply is lost or wasted at the retail and consumer levels. One source of food waste arises from consumers or retailers throwing away wholesome food because of confusion about the meaning of dates displayed on the label. One source of food waste arises from consumers or retailers […]
Buying food from a Salvage Grocery Store is a great way to save money with the added benefit of helping to save the environment. Since Salvage Grocers purchase some food items that are at or near their expiration dates, these stores can be “the last stand” for food that might otherwise be thrown away, ending […]
As part of Winning on Reducing Food Waste Month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), is launching Ace the Waste! A student competition for food waste reduction ideas. This first-ever competition calls on students to come up with creative solutions to reduce food loss and waste in the United States.
The staggering amount of wasted food in the United States has far-reaching impacts on resource conservation and food security, while costing businesses and consumers money. To help galvanize national efforts to reduce food loss and waste, USDA and EPA announced the United States’ first-ever food loss and waste reduction goal in September 2015, calling for a 50-percent reduction by 2030.
Wasted food is a growing problem in our modern society and an untapped opportunity. In 2015 alone, more than 39 million tons of food waste was generated, with only 5.3 percent diverted from landfills and incinerators for composting. EPA estimates that more food reaches landfills and incinerators than any other single material in our everyday trash, constituting 22 percent of discarded municipal solid waste.
eBay allows the sale of food that is nearing it’s expiration date. Amazon does not. Amazon (Fullfillment by Amazon or “FBA”) requires that food items received at any of their distribution centers have a minimum remaining shelf life that is greater than 90 days. Items within 50 days of the expiration date at the time of arrival will be marked for disposal by Amazon.