A few years
ago, the
United States
Department
of Agriculture
(USDA) and EPA
announced the first-
ever national goal to
prevent food loss and waste
by 50 percent by 2030.
In 2010, the USDA estimated
about 220 pounds of food per
person goes to waste each year.
Their goal aims to reduce this waste
by half, to 110 pounds per person. Both
the EPA and USDA established outreach
and technical assistance programs for
organizations, communities, and others.
Food loss and waste presents many
opportunities for people to work
together to solve the problem.
Cows are better consumers than
most humans. They waste less
because they are willing to eat
misshapen fruits and veggies!
6 - Colorado Agriculture in the Classroom
The
Food
Recovery
Hierarchy
provides a
menu of options
for reducing food
loss and waste.
In general, the top
tiers are better for
the environment. The
lower tiers have fewer
environmental benefits.
However, every community is
different and strategies can be
customized to fit each situation,
organization, and region.
List three ways you can
participate in the food
recovery hierarchy at home,
school, or in your community.