Case studies were coauthored with our partner organizations.
Food waste is an international problem with local solutions. City and county governments, alongside local organizations, are well positioned to reduce food waste through local initiatives to prevent food from being discarded, rescue surplus food to help address food gaps in local communities, and recycle food scraps to minimize what goes into landfills and incinerators.
The Food Matters initiative at NRDC partners with cities to achieve meaningful reductions in food waste through comprehensive policies and programs. Through Food Matters, NRDC has worked closely with local stakeholders and government officials to limit food waste. NRDC has helped to support local organizations, build new programs, and create the infrastructure necessary to reduce food waste for the long term.
These case studies examine our on-the-ground work and key examples from governments and businesses, from developing school curriculums to working with local compost and hauling organizations, highlighting the lessons learned and the components of success. As cities explore options for reducing food waste, they may find this information helpful for evaluating the scope of the problem and implementing effective local solutions.
Bon Appétit’s Imperfectly Delicious Produce
Daily Table: Rescuing Food and Creating Better Alternatives for Low-Income Families
Baltimore
Denver
Nashville
Other Cities
Food Waste Prevention Week Across the Nation
Community Perspectives: Wasted Food in Philadelphia
Lessons from the Field: Milan’s Food Waste Hubs
Cincinnati Signs the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact
Food Waste Reduction in Chicago’s Climate Action Plan
Madison Commits to Food Waste Reduction
City-to-City Learning Exchange Helps Reduce Food Waste
Reharvest Memphis: How to Host a Low-Waste High-Impact Event
Compost, Rodents, and Bears—Oh My!
Tackling Food Waste at the City Level: The Nashville Food Waste Initiative
Related Resources
Food Systems Analyst
