Reducing Food Waste
Keep posted to pingree.house.gov/foodwaste for updates on Congresswoman Pingree's legislation.
The United States wastes a staggering amount of food, resulting in environmental problems, billions in economic costs, and a lost opportunity to help feed the 50 million Americans who are food insecure. Congresswoman Chellie Pingree has been a leader in pushing legislation in Congress to address this problem.
- The Food Recovery Act takes comprehensive steps to reduce food waste on the farm, in stores, institutions, and at home. Press release & Statements of Support | Bill Summary
- The Food Date Labeling Act (114th Congress--will be reintroduced) aims to make food date labels more consistent and less confusing, so less food is needlessly thrown out. More information here.
More on Reducing Food Waste
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME) today joined U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, as well as her colleague Congressman David Young (R-IA) and stakeholders, for a roundtable discussion on the issue of food waste.
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME) and Congressman David Young (R-IA) launched a bipartisan House Food Waste Caucus to explore opportunities to reduce food waste.
Last Friday was “Stop Food Waste Day,” an international day of action to address food waste. It is estimated that 40 percent of the food produced in the U.S. goes to waste. A recent U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service study found that U.S. consumers waste almost one pound of food per person per day.
Introduced by Congresswoman Chellie Pingree and Senator Richard Blumenthal, the Food Recovery Act is comprehensive legislation to reduce food waste on all levels.
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree applauded new industry standards on food date labeling released today by the Grocery Manufacturers Association and the Food Marketing Institute.
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree has kicked off her efforts in the new Congress to reduce food waste. She is an original cosponsor of a bipartisan bill, The Food Donation Act of 2017, introduced yesterday by Congresswoman Marcia Fudge to modernize food donation protections, and plans to reintroduce two food waste bills in the coming weeks.
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree applauded guidance the USDA released yesterday encouraging manufacturers to use a “Best if used by” date label.
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree testified before the House Agriculture Committee today to kick off the first-ever Congressional hearing focused on the problem of food waste in the United States.
"When good food goes to waste on the farm, it means the resources used to grow that food—fuel, labor and water—is also wasted. When it goes to waste in a local restaurant it means less revenue for the owner. And wherever and whenever food is wasted, it means less food for the 50 million Americans who are food insecure," Pingree told the committee.
Loan program will help farmers buy refrigerated trucks, storage and processing facilities, thanks to legislation written by Pingree