For the first time, the Zero Food Waste Coalition (ZFWC) is participating in the Appropriations process by requesting the committees provide funding to address food loss and waste in fiscal year 2025.

Appropriations is one of most significant opportunities for advocates to voice their priorities and concerns to Congress by suggesting where funding should be allocated during the 2025 fiscal year. Given the Coalition’s goal of informing and influencing U.S. food waste policy at the federal, state, and local levels in order to accelerate progress in food loss and waste prevention, it felt crucial to partake.

The Coalition has outlined its requests in two open letters, which were signed by over 50 industry players, non-profit organizations, universities, and more—such as Winnow, U.S. Composting Council, Too Good to Go, University of Arkansas, and others. Signatories also include all founding organizations of the ZFWC: World Wildlife Fund, Harvard Food Law & Policy Clinic, ReFED, and the Natural Resources Defense Council.

The first letter was sent to the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittees in the House and Senate. It requests funding for the USDA Food Loss and Waste Reduction Liaison, as well as report language requiring the USDA to issue guidance on food safety requirements and liability protections for food donations.

The second letter, which was sent to the Interior Appropriations Subcommittees in the House and Senate, requests funding and report language for the EPA to implement a national consumer education campaign on food loss and waste.

Read the FY25 Agriculture Appropriations letter here and the FY25 Interior Appropriations letter here.

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Download Files

ZFWC FY25 Agriculture Appropriations Sign-On Letter

ZFWC FY25 Interior Appropriations Sign-On Letter

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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