In a historic announcement, the White House unveiled a strategy to combat food waste in the US with the goals of reducing planet-warming pollution and keeping money in people’s pockets.
On June 12, the White House released details of the first-ever strategy to reduce food waste in the U.S. The program’s ambitious goals are combined with support from the Environmental Protection Agency, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Department of Agriculture.
“The White House announced it would fund research into technologies that could extend food shelf life, such as new seed varieties and better packaging,” The New York Times reported. The plan also includes funding for school education and working with farmers to stop food waste at the production end.
“Each year, too much of the food produced in the United States ends up in landfills instead of on our table, hurting our economy by raising food prices and fueling climate pollution,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan.
One of the plan’s main drivers is the administration’s goal of reducing the amount of toxic gases released into the atmosphere: According to the White House strategy, “Food waste accounts for 58 percent of landfill methane emissions released into the atmosphere, so diverting food waste from landfills is an effective strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
This bold step could have a huge impact on the planet and the daily lives of many Americans. Waste occurs in every area of our food system, but it costs the average American $1,200 a year.
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Extending food shelf life and having a clearer understanding of expiration dates will go a long way in helping people keep money in their wallets and food on their shelves. Additionally, these new guidelines will help more businesses and stores donate food to places like food banks.
“Everyone has a role to play in reducing food loss and waste, and I hope this federal effort will inspire and spur action from the private sector and communities across America,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a statement reported by The New York Times.
While it’s historic that a government agency is spearheading this effort, The New York Times writes, “The strategy falls short of food waste laws in other countries and even in some U.S. states, and it does not include any new regulations.”
But the announcement joins several other climate regulations from the Biden-Harris administration, from the Controlling Inflation Act’s environmental tax credit to land conservation by the Bureau of Land Management.
It is hoped that this move will help build a climate-safe future for future generations.
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