Wegmans Commits to Cutting Food Waste and Loss

From the USDA

Wegmans Food Markets is one of the inaugural class of the U.S. Food Loss and Waste 2030 Champions.

Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy on Nov. 17 announced the list of champions -- U.S. businesses and organization that pledge to reduce food loss and waste in their operations by 50 percent by 2030.

The Champions are: Ahold USA, Blue Apron, Bon Appétit Management Company, Campbell Soup Company, Conagra Brands, Delhaize America, General Mills, Kellogg Company, PepsiCo, Sodexo, Unilever, Walmart, Wegman's Food Markets, Weis Markets and YUM! Brands.

In the United States, the EPA estimates that more food reaches landfills and incinerators than any other single material in our everyday trash, about 21 percent of the waste stream. 

Keeping wholesome and nutritious food in our communities and out of landfills helps communities and the 42 million Americans that live in food insecure households. Reducing food waste also impacts climate change as 20 percent of total U.S. methane emissions come from landfills.

Each 2030 Champion establishes a baseline marking where they are today and will measure and report on their progress toward the goal in a way that makes sense for their organization. 

"Wegmans is committed to making a difference in every community we serve, and one of the ways we're delivering on this promise is through our commitment to reducing food waste," said Jason Wadsworth, manager of sustainability at Wegmans.

"From reducing avoidable food waste in our stores, and diverting unavoidable food scraps from landfills by offering them as feed for local livestock or sending them for composting or anaerobic digestion, to working with more than 350 food banks and pantries for daily food pickups at our stores, we're taking measurable steps to reduce food waste throughout each and every one of our communities," he said. 

"We are proud to be a Food Loss and Waste 2030 Champion, and to be among this group of industry leaders that are coming together with the EPA and USDA to address the issue of food waste in our nation," Wadsworth said.