WASHINGTON, Sept. 20, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced an additional $25 million investment to expand efforts to prevent and reduce food loss and waste. The investment, funded under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), is part of a joint agency initiative between USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and USDA’s Office of the Chief Economist (OCE).

 

In the United States, over one-third of all available food goes uneaten through loss or waste. When food is tossed aside, so too are opportunities for improved food security, economic growth and environmental prosperity.

 

“USDA NIFA is extensively engaged in research, Extension and educational activities to mitigate food loss and waste,” said Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young, USDA Chief Scientist and Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics. “Several NIFA grant programs focusing on this issue align with USDA’s cross-cutting priorities to address the impacts of climate change, ensure food and nutrition security, strengthen rural economies, and ensure racial justice and equity.”

 

Since 2017, NIFA has committed $123.5 million across 527 projects relating to food loss and waste. This latest investment will expand several of NIFA’s core programs by $25 million.

 

The funding will support the Community Food Projects (CFP) Competitive Grants Program to reduce food loss and waste; get surplus wholesome food to individuals; and develop linkages between food producers, providers and food recovery organizations. The primary goals of CFP grants are to provide communities a voice in food system decisions and to support local food markets to fully benefit the community, increase food and nutrition security, and stimulate local economies.

 

NIFA has awarded $4.3 million to 12 CFP Food Loss and Waste projects from the fiscal year 2023 Request for Applications competition. These projects meet the goals of the program and integrate actionable activities that reduce food waste within the local food system by keeping wholesome food in the human food supply chain and saving money for families and businesses.

 

“The programs supported by this funding are cornerstones in NIFA’s agriculture, food safety and nutrition portfolio,” said NIFA Director Dr. Manjit K. Misra. “This funding will increase engagement around nutritional health from the classroom to the community, with an emphasis on reducing food loss and waste.”