[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”on|off|off” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#142E4C” background_enable_image=”off” background_position=”center_left” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_margin__hover_enabled=”off|desktop”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.21.0″ width=”100%” custom_padding=”80px||80px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ text_font=”||||||||” text_letter_spacing=”3px” text_line_height=”2em” header_font=”||||||||” header_font_size=”68px” header_letter_spacing=”0.03em” background_enable_color=”off” text_orientation=”center” width=”100%” module_alignment=”left” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ background_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_padding=”24px|0px|0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]So, we know food waste is a problem. Now what?<\/p>\n
The first step to food recovery is answering the \u201cwho, what, when, where, and why\u201d of wastage. Though almost half of all food waste occurs in the home<\/a>, most food waste studies are too broadly oriented to provide the depth of data on household food waste patterns we need to gain a clear picture of the problem. Our goal was to address this gap through a nationwide study and survey.<\/p>\n In partnership with Gallup, a leader in reliable survey research, we designed and deployed a survey to measure knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors surrounding food waste in American households.<\/p>\n Over 9,000 Americans from across the nation responded to our survey, with a subset of 257 additionally participating in a weeklong daily diary study in which daily waste was logged using the MITRE Food Waste Tracker App. Understanding the characteristics and behaviors associated with high levels of household food waste will help to identify opportunities to divert food from landfills and allow us to better focus future resources into effective waste reduction strategies. [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]When most of us think of \u201cfood waste,\u201d we picture moldy leftovers and slimy spinach in a refrigerator drawer. But the reality is that much of the food we waste is safe and edible. Guided by the EPA\u2019s definition of household food waste, this study defines household food waste as any food disposed at home via the trash bin, drain, animal feed, or compost.<\/span><\/p>\n Feeding hungry people ranks among the EPA\u2019s most preferred food recovery<\/a><\/span> solutions.<\/span> [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,1_4,1_4,1_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/sites.mitre.org\/household-food-waste\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/10\/price-of-food.png” alt=”Food waste in dump truck” title_text=”Price Of Food” src_tablet=”https:\/\/sites.mitre.org\/household-food-waste\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/10\/price-of-food.png” src_phone=”https:\/\/sites.mitre.org\/household-food-waste\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/10\/price-of-food.png” src_last_edited=”on|phone” disabled_on=”on|on|off” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”75%” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/sites.mitre.org\/household-food-waste\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/10\/price-of-food.png” title_text=”price of food” src_tablet=”https:\/\/sites.mitre.org\/household-food-waste\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/10\/price-of-food.png” src_phone=”https:\/\/sites.mitre.org\/household-food-waste\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/10\/price-of-food.png” src_last_edited=”on|phone” disabled_on=”off|off|on” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”25%” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”|75px||75px|false|true” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#142E4C” custom_margin=”-30px||||false|false” custom_padding=”15px|15px|15px|15px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]The average American household wastes about 6.2\u00a0cups<\/strong><\/span> of edible food each week, or about 322 cups<\/strong><\/span> per year. Across the nation, this annual waste equates to nearly 40 billion cups<\/strong><\/span>, and is enough to fill over 1 million dump trucks<\/strong><\/span>!<\/span> Has this research left you wondering how much food your<\/em> household wastes? MITRE developed a Food Waste Tracker app, available Android<\/a> and iOS devices<\/a>, that you can use to easily track your household food waste. Get weekly insights into your household waste patterns through visualizations summarizing your food disposals, in addition to the approximate cost-saving opportunity of better utilizing your ingredients and leftovers.<\/p>\n Try it out and see how you compare to MITRE\/Gallup study participants!<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/sites.mitre.org\/household-food-waste\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/10\/Fig16_app.png” alt=”Screen captures from the MITRE Food Waste Tracker app” title_text=”Fig16 App” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_icon font_icon=”i||divi||400″ icon_color=”#142E4C” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_icon][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n This 2023 report presents findings regarding food waste patterns across the United States, in order to serve as a baseline of national waste levels.<\/p>\n The State of Food Waste in America<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n State of Food Waste- Low Res File<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_icon font_icon=”||divi||400″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_icon][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Survey responses from n=9,259 respondents: demographics, food waste amounts, behaviors, attitudes, knowledge, state level waste estimates.<\/p>\n Survey Data<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n State Estimates<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_icon font_icon=”||fa||900″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_icon][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n User data from n= 450 participants utilizing the MITRE Food Waste Tracker App, including food waste amounts, characteristics, and disposal factors.<\/p>\n App Data<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n App Report (Pre-Print)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_icon font_icon=”||fa||400″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_icon][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n 2023 survey questions and response options developed in partnership with Gallup and distributed to Gallup Panel members.<\/p>\n Questionnaire<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_icon font_icon=”||divi||400″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_icon][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Communication sent in the week prior to the survey as a reminder to participants to be taking note of their household’s food waste output throughout the week.<\/span><\/p>\nWe inquired about shopping and food preparation habits, gauged the impact of different motivators on saving or wasting food, and approximated weekly waste amounts by food type.<\/h3>\n
\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/sites.mitre.org\/household-food-waste\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/09\/Nationaly-Representative-Survey-1000-x-1500-px-1.png” title_text=”Nationaly Representative Survey (1000 x 1500 px) (1)” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/sites.mitre.org\/household-food-waste\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/09\/Nationaly-Representative-Survey-Instagram-Post-2.png” title_text=”Nationaly Representative Survey (Instagram Post) (2)” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]It’s not easy to recall what was for dinner last night, or how much was left on your plate\u2014let alone a week ago. The daily diary sought to provide more detail and higher accuracy by tracking waste as it was generated throughout the week. Participants were asked to describe and to estimate the volume of the wasted food item, as well as to indicate where, why, and how the disposal occurred. About 1\/3 of app users additionally tracked the weight of each disposal by using a Bluetooth enabled kitchen scale which paired with the tracker app. Survey and app data revealed American households waste an average of 6.2 cups of food weekly, not counting inedible food scraps like peels, leaves, and bones.<\/p>\n
\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||101px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/sites.mitre.org\/household-food-waste\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/09\/Food-Source-1800-x-600-px.png” title_text=”Food Source (1800 x 600 px)” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#142E4C” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\nDefining Household Food Waste<\/span><\/h2>\n
Consider redirecting edible excess to families in need through food donations! <\/span><\/h3>\n
\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/sites.mitre.org\/household-food-waste\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/09\/Nationaly-Representative-Survey-1000-x-1500-px-3.png” title_text=”Nationaly Representative Survey (1000 x 1500 px) (3)” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||-719px|||” custom_padding=”|0px||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\nKey Insights<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/sites.mitre.org\/household-food-waste\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/10\/2-1.png” alt=”Cost of food icon” title_text=”2″ disabled_on=”on|on|off” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”75%” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/sites.mitre.org\/household-food-waste\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/10\/2-1.png” title_text=”2″ src_tablet=”https:\/\/sites.mitre.org\/household-food-waste\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/10\/price-of-food.png” src_phone=”https:\/\/sites.mitre.org\/household-food-waste\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/10\/2-1.png” src_last_edited=”on|phone” disabled_on=”off|off|on” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”25%” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”|75px||75px|false|true” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#142E4C” custom_margin=”-30px||||false|false” custom_padding=”15px|15px|15px|15px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]81% <\/strong><\/span>of Americans express concern over the price of food<\/span>, <\/strong>which is Americans\u2019 number 1 food-related concern. Only 33%<\/strong><\/span> are aware that the average American household could save around $1,500<\/strong><\/span> per year by not wasting food.<\/span>
\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/sites.mitre.org\/household-food-waste\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/10\/3-1.png” alt=”Stack of leftover containers” title_text=”3″ disabled_on=”on|on|off” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”75%” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/sites.mitre.org\/household-food-waste\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/10\/3-1.png” title_text=”3″ src_tablet=”https:\/\/sites.mitre.org\/household-food-waste\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/10\/price-of-food.png” src_phone=”https:\/\/sites.mitre.org\/household-food-waste\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/10\/3-1.png” src_last_edited=”on|phone” disabled_on=”off|off|on” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”25%” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”|75px||75px|false|true” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#142E4C” custom_margin=”-30px||||false|false” custom_padding=”15px|15px|15px|15px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]Leftover<\/strong> use<\/strong><\/span> is a critical factor linked to food waste. Those who frequently throw away unwanted leftovers waste about 12<\/strong> cups<\/strong><\/span> of food each week, compared to 3.5 cups<\/strong><\/span> by those who infrequently throw away leftovers.<\/span>
\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/sites.mitre.org\/household-food-waste\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/10\/4.png” alt=”Growing crops” title_text=”4″ disabled_on=”on|on|off” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”75%” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/sites.mitre.org\/household-food-waste\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/10\/4.png” title_text=”4″ src_tablet=”https:\/\/sites.mitre.org\/household-food-waste\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/10\/price-of-food.png” src_phone=”https:\/\/sites.mitre.org\/household-food-waste\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/10\/4.png” src_last_edited=”on|phone” disabled_on=”off|off|on” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”25%” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”|75px||75px|false|true” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#142E4C” custom_margin=”-30px||||false|false” custom_padding=”15px|15px|15px|15px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]Less than half<\/strong><\/span> of Americans (45%) believe that throwing away food is bad for the environment<\/strong><\/span>, and only 40%<\/strong><\/span> are motivated to minimize their waste because it will by reduce their impact on the environment<\/strong><\/span>.<\/span>
\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\nHow Much DOes Your<\/em> Household Waste?<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\nDownloads<\/span><\/h2>\n
Full Report<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n
Survey Data<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n
App Data & Report<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n
Questionnaire<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n
Pre-Survey Communication<\/b><\/span><\/h4>\n