EPA reminder for the holidays: Reducing food waste matters

As Americans gather throughout the holiday season, we are surrounded by the traditions that bring families and communities together. Across the country, tables are full, neighborhoods are active, and people are taking time to connect with those who matter most. This season of sharing also reminds us of a simple truth: Good, nutritious food should be consumed, not wasted. More than one-third of all food in the U.S. is discarded each year. We can do better, and we are doing better. When surplus food is reduced, redirected, or repurposed, families gain access to healthy meals, farmers and businesses find new value in products that might otherwise go unused, and communities strengthen the systems that help keep America fed. Leaning into food waste reduction is a common sense, critical effort that will help make America healthy again. Throughout my travels to all fifty states this year, I have seen how local leadership is driving this progress. Communities are finding practical ways to make better use of the food moving throughout their supply chains. When people coordinate, share ideas, and build on each other’s strengths, families thrive, businesses benefit, and the entire system becomes stronger. The vision behind the EPA’s Feed It Onward initiative is straightforward: to share the stories of individuals and organizations across the nation who are addressing food waste. The initiative aims to connect surplus food with people and organizations that can make use of it. Good food should not be discarded in landfills when it can serve a meaningful purpose. Kansas City offers a compelling example of what is possible, which I witnessed firsthand when I visited Kanbe’s Markets there and met with the team from Pete’s Garden and KC Can Compost. I left encouraged by how local leaders are building real, community-driven solutions that work. Kanbe’s has created a model that moves good-to-eat produce into neighborhood stores that traditional distribution often overlooks. Their work strengthens small retailers, fills access gaps, and ensures that families can purchase fresh fruits and vegetables that might otherwise be thrown away. Pete’s Garden repackages surplus meals from restaurants and caterers into take-home dinners for families. KC Can Compost broadens composting access for homes and businesses. Together, these groups have diverted millions of pounds of food from landfills — feeding families, supporting farmers, and enriching soil. It is a full-circle model and a clear example of what communities can accomplish when they coordinate and share resources. This summer, I visited Scott Air Force Base in Southern Illinois for the launch of EPA’s first Feed It Onward Partnership. Working with Frey Farms, we redirected produce that would have been thrown away just for being labeled “imperfect.” Rather than end up in a landfill, truckloads of fresh watermelons, corn, and pumpkins went straight to military families. This is a clear example of the difference that Feed It Onward aims to make. Big venues around the country are also working hard to reduce food waste. During my visit to Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama, I participated in efforts between NASCAR, Denali Water, and Levy to cut food waste at the track. I also toured the Kia Center, home to the Orlando Magic, whose arena managers have partnered with Levy to redirect surplus food to local organizations. Even in fast-paced and high-volume environments, effective planning can turn surplus food into valuable resources for the community. This issue is gaining global attention. At the G7 Energy and Environment Ministers’ Meeting in Toronto, I spoke with counterparts from around the world and the idea struck a chord, as many shared that they want to learn from the U.S. in this regard, to tackle this challenge in their own countries. As the U.S. prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Olympic Games, there’s an opportunity to showcase our nation’s efforts in reducing food waste. These events will highlight the partnerships driving our country forward. The holiday season underscores why this effort matters. Every community wants good food to reach families who can use it. Every farmer, business, and partner wants his or her work to have an impact. EPA’s Feed It Onward initiative helps make those connections a reality. Lee Zeldin is the 17th administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and a former U.S. House member representing New York.