A WORKSHOPPresented by the

Rhode Island Food Policy Council

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Workshop Purpose

Examine the problem of food waste including:• How much goes to waste• Why waste happens• Why waste matters• Strategies to reduce waste

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Pilot Purpose By making small shifts in how we shop, store and prepare food, we can toss less, eat well, simplify our lives, save money and keep the valuable resources used to produce and distribute food from going to waste.

HOW MUCH FOOD GOES TO WASTE?

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1/3 of the world’s food

• It’s even more in the U.S.: 40%!

• Almost half of that is thrown away by consumers

goes to waste

221.9 lbs- 33%132.9 lbs -

20%

317.7 lbs - 47%

U.S. Total Per Capita Losses (in lbs), 2008(total loss = 672.5 lbs.)

Primary Level Retail Level Consumer Level

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In one month, a family of 4 wastes ...

WHY WASTE HAPPENS

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Research shows that...Total Household

Food and Drink Waste

Unavoidable Avoidable Possibly Avoidable

Prepared or Served Too Much

Not Used in Time Other

> 5%

~ 64%!~ 18%~ 18%

~ 55%~ 40%

WHY WASTING FOOD MATTERS

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Wasted Food = Wasted Resources

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What it costs us in $

What is the total annual cost of food waste in United States?• ANSWER: $125 to $166 BILLION On average, we throw out just over a dollar per day of edible food per person. How much do you think that costs a family in a year?• $1,600 a year! (for a family of 4)

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Climate ConsequencesWhy is food waste important in Rhode Island?• Rhode Island’s Central Landfill will reach its

capacity in ~25 years• An estimated 20% of total waste going to the

Central Landfill is food waste• Food waste in the landfill generates

methane, a greenhouse gas 21 times more powerful than carbon dioxide.

4 STRATEGIES TO REDUCE FOOD WASTE

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1. MAKE A LIST WITH MEALS IN MIND

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2. KEEP FRUITS AND VEGETABLES FRESH

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3. PREP NOW, EAT LATER

Image courtesy of Grant Cochrane/FreeDisitalPhotos.net

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4. “USE WHAT YOU’VE GOT”

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Discussion

What other strategies can you recommend?

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NextSteps• Choose at

least one strategy

• Continue measuring

• Start tomorrow!

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Debrief Dates

Wednesday, April 2nd OR

Thursday, April 3rd 6:30 pm

Location: Promenade