food rage

ReFED is a nonprofit that uses data and insights to reduce food waste. Food Waste in the United States is estimated at between 30-40 percent of the food supply (USDA). Food that could go to hungry families is thrown away in large amounts by people everyday. I went into further detail on food waste in my last post, but I still want to explain the dangers, so you can further understand why ReFED is going to save us.

The need for ReFED

As mentioned before, food waste is a serious problem, especially in the United States. ReFED’s website provides information such as data and solutions that can reduce food waste. The data ranges from the environmental impact to retail solutions. ReFED lists farms, manufactures, retailers, food service, and homes to explain how they all impact the food system, and how they do so, with reasoning.

Education and spreading awareness of the dangers of food waste is an element of strategic communication. Infographics, blogposts, and mass campaigns have worked for ReFED. Their partnerships with the United Nations and the Environmental Protection Agency ensure that there is a need for ReFed. ReFED has solutions to food waste.

I really appreciate that ReFED reinstate’s that food waste is solvable; it tones down any paranoia that could be seen with food scarcity and/or the future of the environment. It is really easy to fear monger about our planet, but ReFED’s mission and positive attitude help shut that down.

How ReFED is saving us

ReFED is saving us through their data. In 2021, ReFED introduced their Insights Engine, a data and solutions hub, to provide information on food waste in the United States. The Insights Engine is interactive, it has an impact calculator, food waste tracker and so much more. Everything on the Insight Engine presents more information than you can see, it feels like I can go to one place and find more facts linked. it is an almost-endless hub that tells the reader what to do and why they should.

The ReFED Food Waste Action Network connects people from all over the United States in food waste awareness. There are local events and mass campaigns on the network that help prevent food loss. My favorite part is the “Clean Plate Club” which sounds exactly what it is. Engaging with people who share the same values as you is a great way to get started in your fight against food waste.

In conclusion, I really respect ReFED. There is so much to learn from just their website before actually getting involved. Again, food waste is dangerous and should be taken seriously. ReFED effectively does so by providing the data and explaining the solution. I think more major corporations should partner with ReFED, especially the ones that like to use the word ‘sustainability’, but never make an impact. ReFED is the impact.