Food Waste in America Tossed Out

NOVEMBER 10, 2014 BY ANDY

Reprinted from Harvest Public Media http://harvestpublicmedia.org/content/tossed-out

An Abundance of Waste

Farmers and growers have made gigantic advancements in food production over the last century, ensuring more food flows from farm to table than at any time in human history. Yet, some estimates sayas much as 40 percent of the food produced in the U.S. goes uneaten.

Food waste is the single-largest source of waste in municipal landfills. An incredible 35 million tons of food were thrown away in 2012, according to the EPA. As it decomposes in landfills, the waste releases methane and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Meanwhile, 1 in 6 Americans struggles with hunger and the world wonders how to address the challenge of feeding 9 billion people by 2050.

NET Nebraska and Harvest Public Media are exploring the problem of food waste in America. Watch for lots of coverage online. Harvest Public Media partner public radio stations will air a week-long series starting Monday, Sept. 22.

And tune in to your local public television on Friday, Sept. 26, for an in-depth look on “Tossed Out: Food Waste in America.” Check your local listings.

Or, watch the full TV program, right here.