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Congress to Study Ways to Reduce Food Waste

Dan Environment, Industry News Release

A group of lawmakers will seek opportunities to reduce food waste by U.S. consumers.

food wasteThe bipartisan House food Waste Caucus will look for ways to promote food waste reduction across the food supply chain. Announced by Representatives Chellie Pingree, a Democrat from Maine, and Iowa Republican David Young, the group is expected to “shine a spotlight” on Department of Agriculture research indicating that Americans waste nearly one pound of food per day, according to meat industry publication Meatingplace.

The Caucus plans to offer education opportunities to congress members and their staff to support efforts to reduce food waste at federal agencies, including USDA and the Environmental Protection Agency. An estimated 40 percent of the food produced in the United States is wasted each year.

Pingree and Young said in a joint statement that Americans are wasting food at a time when 50 million other Americans don’t always know where their next meal will come from.

From the National Association of Farm Broadcasting News Service.