Fighting hunger means fighting food waste, too.
National Food Waste Week is a chance to rethink how we use food, can cut down on waste, and help the environment.
Each year, millions of pounds of food go to waste while people still face hunger. In 2022, Tennesseans wasted an estimated 1.77 million tons of food. Meanwhile, nearly 1,000,000 people are food insecure in our state.
Second Harvest rescues food from places like grocery stores and farms. This safe-to-eat food stays out of landfills, which prevents harmful methane gas.
Last year, Second Harvest rescued 29 million pounds of food. By saving this food, we’re fighting both hunger and climate change.
The hard truth is that not all the food we rescue is fit for consumption. That’s why we’ve expanded our sustainability efforts to include composting.
At our distribution centers, we compost an average of 11,500 pounds of food every month. This is food that would have otherwise ended up in a landfill.
Composting reduces methane emissions and also improves soil health. That cycle creates a more sustainable food system!
By repurposing inedible food, we use every resource available to fight food waste.
This National Food Waste Week, consider:
- Buying fewer items at the grocery store.
- Proper storage to keep fruits and veggies fresh longer.
- Turn scraps into soil-friendly compost.
No good food should go to waste when so many people are in need. By rescuing, repurposing, and composting food, we are making a lasting impact.
Want to join the fight against food waste? Learn more about how you can get involved: secondharvestmidtn.org/get-involved/