Food Waste Quiz

Can you answer these food waste questions?

Volunteers working with the Society of St. Andrew have rescued more than 900 million pounds of good food and shared it with agencies, organizations, communities, and families who need it most. Those pounds have provided more than 2.5 billion servings of food.

All this happens because farmers, volunteers, and food pantries work together to feed the hungry.

Test your knowledge with the quiz below to see if you know why all this food is available.

This Food Waste Quiz is a great place to start in the mission to reduce waste and end hunger. Once you’ve completed the quiz, be sure to sign up as a volunteer today to learn more about opportunities to serve your neighbors in need.

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Free Downloads and Website Links about Food Waste

DocumentDescriptionLink
A Beginner's Guide to Food Waste (Summer 2016)The study from Material Impact Inc. defines food waste as an environmental, social, and financial problem. This is a great beginning to understanding food waste. It includes an introduction to the subject, info on food waste legislation, current awareness campaigns, and lists tool-kits and other resources available. PDF
Economic Drivers of Food Loss at the Farm and Pre-Retail Sectors: A Look at the Produce Supply Chain in the United StatesUSDA estimates consumer food waste at about $161.6 billion annually, or about $500 per person per year. This report casts light on waste in the produce industry ... one-third of total food waste by weight. The report says consumers account for 42 percent of produce waste; retail distribution, 18 percent; processing and packaging, 3 percent; post-harvest, 6 percent; and agricultural production, 30 percent. The study enumerates several causes of food waste in the production and distribution sectors. PDF
EPA: Donating FoodBy redirecting unspoiled food from landfill to our neighbors in need, individuals can support their local communities and reduce environmental impact. Non-perishable and unspoiled perishable food can be donated. Donated food can also include leftovers from events and surplus food inventory. Website
EPA: Reducing Wasted Food at HomeAbout 95 percent of the food we throw away ends up in landfills or combustion facilities. In 2013, we disposed more than 35 million tons of food waste. Once in landfills, food breaks down to produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas which contributes to climate change. Website
Estimating & Addressing America's Food LossesThe landmark 1997 report estimating food loss in America's food system PDF
Food Waste Focus BlogThis blog from LeanPath is a one-stop spot for food waste musings and updates, and waste reduction tips. Website
Good Laws, Good FoodPutting Local Food Policy to Work for Our Communities (Harvard Law Food and Policy Clinic and John Hopkins Center for a Livable Future, September 2017) 174 pages PDF
Keeping Food Out of the Landfill: Policy Ideas for States and LocalitiesThis is an 84-page document from the Harvard Food Law and Policy Clinic - a resource for those who want to encourage state and local governments to take action against food waste. The state guide to incentives and protections for food donations PDF
Saving Water: From Field to Fork(Stockholm International Water Institute) PDF
Sodexo Foundation ReportFinds hunger costs far more than it would take to ensure that no citizen is at risk of hunger Website
The Estimated Amount, Value, and Calories of Postharvest Food Losses at the Retail and Consumer Levels in the U.S.(Includes the Summary Report) From the USDA: (Released in February 2014) "In the United States, 31 percent - or 133 billion pounds - of the 430 billion pounds of the available food supply at the retail and consumer levels in 2010 went uneaten. The estimated value of this food loss was $161.6 billion using retail prices. For the first time, ERS estimated the calories associated with food loss: 141 trillion in 2010, or 1,249 calories per capita per day." PDF
United States Hunger and Poverty Facts(World Hunger Education Service) - compilation of many different studies Website
Up to 40% of Our Food is Wasted(National Resources Defense Council, 2012) PDF
What is Gleaning? Past, Present & FutureFrom FoodForward.org: Gleaning is an ancient form of food recovery & support that's making an amazing modern comeback! Here's a definition of the word "glean", a history of the movement, and a discussion of gleaning today. Website