ReFED is working across the food system to reduce food loss and waste.
ReFED is working across the food system to reduce food loss and waste.
With our deep sector knowledge, convening power, and full view of the supply chain, we're advancing solutions that generate large-scale impact.
Latest News & Updates
See more news, updates, articles, press releases, newsletters, and more in our Newsroom.
See more news, updates, articles, press releases, newsletters, and more in the Newsroom
New Report
From Surplus to Solutions: 2025 ReFED U.S. Food Waste Report
Our yearly report features the latest data on the progress, trends, and challenges in reducing food waste in the United States. With sections covering the impacts of food waste on the economy, natural resources, and food insecurity, plus deep-dive analyses of waste reduction efforts at businesses, the policy landscape, solutions funding, food donation, and more, this year’s report shows that while we're seeing significant momentum, waste remains stubbornly high.
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Stay on top of what’s happening in the fight against food waste—plus be the first to find out about news, events, funding opportunities, job postings, and more from ReFED and others in the space.
Here's How You Can Take Action
Food waste is a systemwide problem, so solving it will require systemwide action. That’s why we operate with a “big tent” mindset. No matter how you’re connected to the food system, there’s a lot that you can do right now to reduce food waste and bring about change—and we’re here to help.
Turn Commitments Into Action
As waste generators, businesses have a special responsibility to commit to progress and take action to reduce food waste. Luckily, there’s a range of solutions—from breakthrough innovations to basic best practices—that can transform your operations. We can show you what works.
Learn how our Business Services program can help
Reach Your Investment Goals
Capital of all types is needed to scale food waste reduction solutions, and we’re here to help you make impactful investments. We offer a comprehensive data-driven assessment of financing opportunities, plus more resources and services to help you develop your strategy.
Learn where funding is needed the most
Join our Food Waste Funder Circle
Examine the food waste funding landscape with our Capital Tracker
Maximize Your Impact
We’re committed to helping you grow your impact through partnership opportunities, awareness building, pitch events, and a range of tools and resources—all designed to help get your solution in front of funders and prospective business partners.
Explore our solution provider resources
Help Incentivize Action
Policy has the power to spark action, and across the country, federal, state, and local policymakers have opportunities to jump-start necessary change. Our food waste statistics and resources can educate you on what’s working, what’s needed—and the potential impact.
Spread the Word
Everyone is connected to the food system and faced with the impacts of food waste. That means there’s a range of potential angles when it comes to food waste stories. ReFED has reporters covered with the most recent food waste statistics and data, expert sources, and more.
Find Your Place In This Fight
We all have a role to play in reducing food loss and waste, and the best way to determine yours is to start at the beginning—by learning about the causes and extent of food waste and which solutions can have the greatest impact.
Food Waste By The Numbers
In 2023, 31% of all food in the U.S. went unsold or uneaten—and most of that ended up as waste.
As part of the TED Countdown Dilemma Series, ReFED President Dana Gunders spoke about food waste and its solutions.
That's equivalent to:
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120 Billion Meals That could have gone to the food insecure -
$382 Billion Approximately 1.4% of U.S. GDP -
62% of Annual Emissions From passenger vehicles in the U.S. in 2022 -
24% of Landfill Volume Resulting in 59% of landfill methane
HOW REFED is transforming the food system
ReFED is the leading food waste nonprofit, leveraging a holistic view of the food system to collaborate with key audiences and drive coordinated action. Recognized as a leading voice for change, we accomplish our work by:
Leveraging Data & Insights
Tackling food waste requires a deep understanding of the problem, yet reliable information is scarce and fragmented. ReFED is a definitive source for data and economic analysis on food waste in the United States and the solutions to fight it, with a trusted history of producing insights and tools that support action.
Catalyzing Capital & Innovation
The good news about food waste is that solutions exist, more are being developed all the time, and many have a strong potential for investment returns. But that can make it challenging for funders to know where to start when they’re exploring investments in the food waste space. And without funding to scale and amplify their work, businesses offering food waste solutions aren’t able to prove them out in the market—and all of their potential impact is lost.
That’s why ReFED is working to catalyze the investment of the public, private, and philanthropic capital needed to fund the work of food waste solution providers. We’re helping to close the funding gap by bringing investors and innovators together in mutually beneficial collaborations.
To do it, we’ve designed a set of tools and resources to help both funders and solution providers alike understand the food waste landscape, develop a funding strategy, engage with partners, and track their progress. From affinity networks and regranting funds to pitch sessions, promotional opportunities, and more, we’re building the foundation for impact.
Mobilizing Businesses
The businesses that grow, sell, and serve our food play a critical role in reducing food waste—and in supporting the efforts of their customers to do the same. ReFED's Business Services team provides the know-how to guide businesses toward sustainable, high-impact solutions, turning ambitious goals around food surplus into tangible results.
Cultivating Community
Food waste occurs up and down the supply chain, making cross-sector collaboration and coordination essential. ReFED connects stakeholders from across the food system through partnerships, affinity networks, events—including our annual Food Waste Solutions Summit—and more to drive food waste prevention.
Featured In
Key Topics
From food waste’s impact on the economy and climate to its role in driving food system inequality and more, here’s what people are talking about.
Explore Our Resources Library
Featured Resource
From Surplus to Solutions: 2025 ReFED U.S. Food Waste Report
Across the food system, nearly one third of all food is lost or wasted as it makes its way from farms to our plates. This report represents a landscape assessment, pulling together ReFED data analysis and modeling with external research, supported by qualitative narratives developed through our work with partners across the food waste ecosystem.
Read Report
See additional reports, fact sheets, action guides, and more in our Resources Library.
Donate to ReFED
Reducing food waste is a core solution to fight climate change, and it can quickly decrease levels of atmospheric methane. It also helps increase food security and make the best use of the money being spent to grow, harvest, process, transport, store, and consume food. Your support of ReFED helps us create the system-level impact that’s needed to drive real change.