In a historic announcement, the White House has unveiled a strategy to combat food waste in the United States, aiming to reduce the pollution that is driving global warming and leave people with more money to spend.
On June 12, the White House released details of a unique strategy to reduce food waste in the U.S. The program’s ambitious goals are backed by support from the Environmental Protection Agency, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Department of Agriculture.
The New York Times reported, “The White House says it will fund research into technologies that can extend food shelf life, such as new seed varieties and better packaging.” The plan also includes funding for education in schools and working with farmers to combat food loss on the production side.
“Every year, too much food produced in the United States ends up in landfills instead of on dinner tables, hurting our economy by raising the cost of food and contributing to climate pollution,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan.
One of the main drivers behind this plan is the administration’s goal of reducing the amount of toxic gases released into the atmosphere. According to the White House strategy, “Food waste is responsible 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 move could have major implications for the planet and the daily lives of many Americans. While waste occurs in all sectors of our food system, it costs the average American $1,200 annually.
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Extending the shelf life of food and creating a clearer understanding of expiration dates will go a long way in helping people keep money in their pockets and food on the 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 these federal commitments will inspire and catalyze action in the private sector and communities across the U.S.,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a statement to the Times.
While it is historic for the executive branch to lead these efforts, The New York Times wrote, “The strategy falls short compared to food waste laws in other countries and even some U.S. states. It contains no new regulations.”
However, this announcement joins a number of other climate actions from the Biden-Harris administration, from green tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act to land conservation through the Bureau of Land Management.
There is hope that this step will contribute to a climate-safer future for future generations.
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