Federal agencies declare April food waste awareness month

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have designated April as “Winning on Reducing Food Waste Month.” The agencies say they are calling for greater collaboration with public, private, and nonprofit partners, plus state and local officials, “to educate and engage consumers and stakeholders throughout the supply chain on the need to reduce food loss and waste.”

In the U.S., more than one-third of all available food goes uneaten through loss or waste, according to the agencies. Food is the single largest type of waste in generated municipal solid waste (MSW), the three agencies add.

“Reducing food waste and redirecting excess food to people, animals or energy production provides immediate benefits to public health and the environment,” says EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “I am proud to join President Trump and my federal partners in recognizing April as Winning on Reducing Food Waste Month. We are working closely with our federal partners and stakeholders across the nation to reduce the amount of food going to landfills and maximize the value of our food resources.”