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K-State Research and Extension
123 Umberger Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506-3401
785-532-5820
extadmin@ksu.edu

May 12, 2020

Reducing Food Waste Fact Sheet Now Available

Submitted by Londa Nwadike

Reducing food waste has always been an important topic, and even more so now in light of disruptions to the food supply and the food security challenges that many are facing due to COVID-19. In 2014, the USDA Economic Research Service estimated that 30 to 40% of edible food in the United States went to waste. At the household level, the average U.S. family of four loses an estimated $1,500 per year on wasted food. Currently, it is even more important for families to safely utilize the food that they do have available.

Therefore, KSRE has published a fact sheet and leaders guide on "Working Together to Reduce Food Waste." Topics covered include: 1) Consumer Source Reduction strategies, including a) Meal planning, b) Strategic grocery shopping, c) Proper food storage, d) Extending the life of food and e) Checking food product dates; 2) Feed Hungry People; and 3) Composting. KSRE also has a compilation of a large number of resources to help reduce food waste available from https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/foodsafety/topics/food-waste.html.