Do you know how much food waste happens every year?
Approximately one-third of all food produced in the U.S. ends up in landfills. This amounts to 92 billion lbs of food which is enough to feed 132,420,091 people three meals a day for an entire year.
This is a staggering reality when 1 in 7 American households experience food insecurity, and we have more than enough food to feed all of them. But why is food waste an even bigger issue?
Ignoring food waste not only exacerbates food insecurity, but it’s also an environmental, social, and economic issue. With effective Food Recovery Programs, communities can turn this waste into opportunity, ensuring that surplus food reaches the people who need it most.
The Social and Economic Costs of Food Waste
While 47 million Americans, including 14 million children, experience food insecurity, perfectly edible food is thrown away daily. Instead of bridging the gap between excess and need, this waste deepens the food insecurity crisis, leaving families without reliable access to meals.
Lost Opportunities for Vulnerable Communities
Low-income and marginalized communities are disproportionately affected by food insecurity. In fact, in 2023, Black and Hispanic households faced food insecurity at double the rate of white households
When nutritious food is discarded instead of redistributed, it perpetuates health disparities, hunger, and poverty. Households experiencing food insecurity like this have higher rates of chronic disease, and developmental issues are more likely to arise in children. Food waste is not just a lost meal, it’s a lost opportunity for families to thrive.
Strained Social Services
With recent cuts to federal programs, food banks are in need now more than ever. Food banks, shelters, and community meal programs work tirelessly to feed those in need, but they’re facing constant shortages, especially now. From cancelled loads to funding cuts, they’re left wondering how they’re going to feed the millions of people in need. That’s why missions such as Move For Hunger’s are critical to keeping food bank shelves stocked.
With the help of our transportation network, we can rescue surplus food and deliver it to communities across the country. If more food was recovered instead of discarded, these programs could serve more people without additional financial strain.
Economic Impact
Food waste isn’t just about what’s tossed in the trash, it’s also about the money lost along the supply chain. The 40% of food loss that happens every year is also a $218 billion loss in food that’s already produced. While the U.S. spends billions producing food that never reaches consumers, farmers, businesses, and buyers reap the financial losses.
Wasted Resources
Food production requires land, water, and energy. When food is wasted, so are 45 trillion gallons of water and billions of dollars in agricultural resources used to produce it. Redirecting this food could maximize efficiency while benefiting communities instead of landfills.
When food goes unsold or unused, businesses lose revenue, farmers suffer financial losses, and supply chains become more fragile. Food recovery programs can help redirect surplus food, support local businesses, and address hunger.
Environmental Impact
Did you know food waste is responsible for 8% of global emissions?
In fact, food waste rotting in landfills generates methane, a greenhouse gas that is 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Reducing waste means cutting emissions and helping the environment.
The Power of Food Recovery Programs
You may be wondering, what is food recovery? Food recovery is the process of rescuing surplus food and redistributing it to food banks, pantries and shelters instead of letting it go to waste. Organizations such as Move For Hunger play a critical role in connecting food donors with communities in need.
Move For Hunger’s Role in Turning Waste Into Opportunity
Hunger exists in every county in the U.S., but food recovery is a way to provide immediate relief to families experiencing hunger. Most importantly, with bulk nonperishables and fresh food recoveries, we can ensure that the food is fresh, nutritious, and available where it’s needed the most.
Did you know 53.6 million Americans live in low-income, food deserts?
Food banks continue to be a pillar in these communities for accessible, healthier food options. By keeping food in circulation, food recovery reduces costs for food banks and community organizations, allowing them to allocate resources elsewhere. Through our transportation network, this is the impact we made last year.
Impact in Numbers
- 48 million meals delivered since inception
- 15 million meals delivered in 2024, more than 2022 and 2023 combined
- 1,250 moving companies making a difference
- 7.9 million meals through Food Recovery in 2024
- 156 food rescues in 2024
Let’s Make a Difference
Ignoring food waste means missing the chance to fight hunger, improve public health, and strengthen communities. Every pound of food recovered is a meal that can nourish someone in need. Get involved in the fight against hunger because every action counts!
Here’s what you can do today to prevent your food waste and help food insecurity:
- Donate surplus food
- Start a fundraiser
- Host a food drive
- Advocate for hunger relief policies
- Partner with Move For Hunger
By starting today, you turn food waste into opportunity, ensuring that everyone has access to the meals they deserve. Join the Move For Hunger movement because no one should go hungry while food goes to waste.
