Retailer resources for reducing food waste

Savvy food retailers know that reducing food waste isn’t just a feel-good story for customers — it can also help a business’s bottom line. But where can supermarkets turn if they don’t already have waste reduction programs in place?

A good place to start is the Food Waste Reduction Alliance, a joint effort from FMI, GMA and the National Restaurant Association. Earlier this year, FWRA put out a best practices toolkit for reducing food waste (PDF).

Hannaford Supermarkets is working towards zero waste. Photo courtesy of Hannaford Supermarkets.

The website for the USDA Food Waste Challenge can point you toward further information on topics like composting; turning food waste into fuel, animal feed or electricity; and the laws governing food donations.

Feeding America, a nationwide network of food banks, outlines in detail its requirements for food donations, including preferred packaging and storage conditions. From there, retailers will need to contact a local affiliated food bank to set up the donation process.

To get started with composting, use the U.S. Composting Council’s market directory to find consultants, equipment manufacturers and haulers in each state.

What other tools or resources have you found helpful?