Tossed Out: Food Waste in America

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Farmers and growers have made gigantic advancements in food production over the last century, ensuring more food flows from farm to table than at any time in human history. Yet, some estimates say as much as 40 percent of the food produced in the U.S. goes uneaten.

Food waste is the single-largest source of waste in municipal landfills. An incredible 35 million tons of food were thrown away in 2012, according to the EPA. As it decomposes in landfills, the waste releases methane and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Meanwhile, 1 in 6 Americans struggles with hunger and the world wonders how to address the challenge of feeding 9 billion people by 2050.

Harvest Public Media, with KBIA and other member stations, are exploring the problem of food waste in America. Watch for lots of coverage online. Harvest Public Media partner public radio stations will air a week-long series.

Education

Choices can slice school food waste

Luke Runyon

This is the fifth story in a series of stories by Harvest Public Media on food waste called Tossed Out: Food Waste in America.Lunch time at Harris…
Grocery stores waste tons of food as they woo shoppers

Kristofor Husted

This is the fourth story in a series of stories by Harvest Public Media on food waste called Tossed Out: Food Waste in America. Grocery stores and…
Manufacturers cut food waste to build bottom line

Peggy Lowe

This is the third story in a series of stories by Harvest Public Media on food waste called Tossed Out: Food Waste in America.The long line of semi-trucks…
Technology, infrastructure minimize food waste on the farm

Amy Mayer

This is the second story in a series of stories by Harvest Public Media on food waste called Tossed Out: Food Waste in America. On a wet, grey day in…
Food waste weighing down U.S. food system

More from this series: Tossed Out – Food Waste in America It’s a hot summer day outside of Lincoln, Neb., and Jack Chappelle is knee-deep in trash. He’s…