In a special episode of The Excerpt podcast released on November 13, 2024, Dana Gunders, the President of ReFED, discusses the issue of food waste and food insecurity in the United States. Despite being a wealthy country, one in eight Americans is food insecure, while more than a third of food produced goes uneaten or unsold, leading to roughly 90 million pounds of wasted food. Most of this food ends up in landfills, contributing to climate change due to the release of methane gas as it decomposes.
Gunders explores solutions to this issue, including food donation and recovery networks, as well as the use of apps like Too Good To Go to connect consumers with surplus food from restaurants and grocery stores. She emphasizes the importance of reducing food waste at all levels of the supply chain, from farms to grocery stores and homes.
The episode also highlights the importance of proper food storage, planning, and utilizing frozen foods to reduce waste. Gunders stresses that individuals have the power to make a difference by wasting less food, as it can have a direct impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping those in need. Overall, the episode provides insights into the complexities of the food waste problem in the U.S. and offers practical solutions for addressing it.
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