Coalition of 12 organizations launch FurtherWithFood.org, an online hub for information and solutions to cut food loss and waste

WASHINGTON (January 26, 2017)–Today, World Resources Institute and 11 partners announced the launch of Further With Food: Center for Food Loss and Waste Solutions an online hub to exchange information and solutions that can help realize the United States’ goal of cutting food waste 50 percent by 2030. In addition to stimulating widespread adoption of proven solutions, Further With Food will help coordinate efforts between businesses, government agencies, investors, non-profits, academics and individuals, and reduce duplication of efforts.

“Many companies, city governments and consumers are waking up to the fact that food loss and waste is a major challenge with dire social, economic and environmental impacts,” said Liz Goodwin, Senior Fellow and Director, Food Loss and Waste, World Resources Institute. “The question for many is, what does it mean for me and my organization and what can I do about it? Now there’s an important new resource to find the information and make the connections that will help the United States successfully halve food loss and waste.”

The U.S. spends more than $162 billion growing, processing and transporting food that is never eaten, costing the average family of four $1,500 every year. In the process, fresh water, energy, land, labor and money are invested into food that’s never sold and meals that are never served, and leading to greenhouse gas emissions as food rots in landfills. With the announcement of Further With Food, the 12 members of this public-private partnership are seeking to uncover and share proven solutions, as well as to ensure efforts are streamlined and effective.

“Curbing the enormous amount of food loss and waste in this county would help put food on the table to nourish people in need, conserve the resources of our planet, and help both individuals and companies save money,” said Erin Fitzgerald Sexson, Senior Vice President for Global Sustainability, Innovation Center for US Dairy. “The good news is that partners across the country are joining the effort to reduce food loss and waste. As these efforts expand, there is a need for a common place for these diverse groups to share and learn from one another, as well as educate the public.”

Further With Food will feature content on best practices for preventing loss and waste, and recovering and recycling food; educational materials; research results; and information on existing government, business and community initiatives.

The participants in the Further With Food collaboration include the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Feeding America, Food Marketing Institute, Grocery Manufacturers Association, Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, National Consumers League, Natural Resources Defense Council, National Restaurant Association, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, World Resources Institute and World Wildlife Fund. Major funding was provided by the Rockefeller Foundation. Keystone Policy Center provided technical assistance to the coalition.

For more information, visit https://furtherwithfood.org/.