Food Waste Resources
Learn about food waste
Visit this digital museum exhibit on the history of food waste, by Utah State University. The US has been dealing with this issue through the ages-- spend a few minutes browsing this virtual museum to learn more!
Refer to this in-depth report on food waste in the US, by the NRDC. Food in Landfills Drives Climate Change This is a go-to resource for reliable information.
Watch Wasted! The story of Food Waste (2017) A stunning documentary featuring celebrated chefs, everyday eaters, and innovators using creativity to tackle the problem of food waste across the world. We screened this film at an MFP event, but you can watch at home!
Reduce food waste in your own home
Explore Your Plan, Your Planet: an interactive tool that will help you scrutinize your own food waste behaviors, pick up tips for helping your food stay fresher longer, and make a pledge to make (attainable) change. You'll have fun playing this with kids! Produced by Google, the California Academy of Sciences, and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
Use the Guest-Imator to estimate the right amount of food for your next dinner party, and the Meal Prep Mate to help plan your next shopping trip-- both tools from the NRDC's Save the Food campaign.
Learn how to store food safely so that it stays fresher longer! Pick up some storage tips for fresh perishable foods here:
And of course, you can Become a UC Master Food Preserver or use our online resources to learn about longer-term food storage through freezing, dehydrating, pickling, and canning.
Have food you can't eat?
Donate it to help those in need. Rest easy knowing that the Good Samaritan Food Donation act (AB1219) protects food donors from legal liability.
- grocery rescue: retailers can send unsold food to Second Harvest
- donate food: to Second Harvest
- perishable, prepared food from an event or from your kitchen: call the Food Runners to pick it up!
If you have time to donate rather than food, Second Harvest of Silicon Valley and the Food Runners also need volunteers!
As a last resort, use your food to feed your garden! Learn to compost from our colleagues at:
- The UC Master Gardeners of San Mateo/ San Francisco Counties
- The UC Master Composters of Santa Clara County
Spread the word
A number of organizations have created resources that make it easy to teach and learn about food waste. Check out the toolkits from:
- US EPA - Food: too good to waste
- NRDC - Save The Food
- King County, WA - Food: too good to waste