Pop Quiz: Food Waste

© ArieStudio/Shutterstock.com

Not quite—it's 40%

Food waste happens in many ways for many reasons. Take this example that accounts for 16% of food loss and waste in the US. An estimated 10 million tons of specialty crops grown on farms each year never get harvested or make it past the farm gate—about a third of what’s grown. This loss happens because of labor shortages, increasing labor costs, cosmetic imperfections, weather events, and more.

Wasted food has enormous consequences. It represents roughly 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions (nearly four times more than the global airline industry’s emissions), and is a main driver of the loss of forests, grasslands, and other critical wildlife habitats—while also depleting our freshwater supply.

Reducing food waste is a huge challenge, but also an opportunity. WWF has proven solutions that can help tackle the food waste crisis. We're working with students and teachers, grades K-12; food retailers; restaurants and food service businesses; and other partners.

Check out other food waste myths and learn about how we're working on solutions with schools.