The Zero Food Waste Coalition (ZFWC) applauds the inclusion of USAID in the Federal Interagency Collaboration to Reduce Food Loss and Waste, which was renewed last week. This formal agreement between the USDA, EPA, FDA, and now USAID is a critical step to reducing food waste and helping the U.S. reach its goal of cutting food waste in half by 2030.

The Coalition and its founding members have long called for more support for the Federal Interagency Collaboration to Reduce Food Loss and Waste and for its expansion, including in its US Food Loss and Waste Action Plan and in its Farm Bill report. Additionally, the ZFWC released a Comment on the Draft National Strategy for Reducing Food Loss and Waste and Recycling Organics earlier this year, in which it called for the creation of an expanded partnership that includes the White House and other federal agencies. As such, the Coalition is excited to see that this has started to come to fruition with the new agreement that includes USAID. The ZFWC is also thrilled to see the continued participation of one of its founding members, ReFED, in the efforts.

The USDA also announced an investment by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture to fund a $1.5 million Center for Research, Behavioral Economics and Extension on Food Loss and Waste and a $2.5 million pilot consumer education campaign on food loss and waste. The Center will “conduct research on policies and programs relevant to addressing inefficiencies in the food system and food-related practices, focusing on engaging underserved audiences and the next generation of young adults.”

The Coalition was thrilled to see these commitments, as it has recommended the interagency partners invest in behavioral science and dedicate funding to a national education campaign.

As part of the ZFWC’s comments on the Draft National Strategy, the Coalition also encouraged the Interagency Collaboration to provide more specific commitments around how the federal government will promote environmental justice and equity, which the recent announcement addressed.

The ZFWC looks forward to supporting and amplifying the work of the expanded interagency partnership and seeing its investments in action.

To read the full press release from USDA, click here.

To learn more about or join the Zero Food Waste Coalition, please email zfwcoalition@gmail.com.

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The Zero Food Waste Coalition aims to inform and influence policy at the local, state, and federal levels, and share policy updates and opportunities with partners and stakeholders around the country to bring consumers, businesses, and government together to make food loss and waste history. The Coalition was launched by NRDC, WWF, ReFED, and FLPC in April 2023, formalizing a partnership that began in January 2020.

CONTACT:
Zero Food Waste Coalition, zfwcoalition@gmail.com