ReFED unveils two new tools to combat food waste in US

ReFED has launched two new innovation and policy tools in a bid to reduce food waste in the US.

With the Food Waste Innovator Database tool, users can explore more than 400 commercial and non-profit entities in the food waste innovation sector, based on solution type and geography.

Developed in partnership with Harvard Law School's Food Law and Policy Clinic, the Food Waste Policy Finder features an interactive map that centralises federal and state-level food waste policy to assist advocates and policymakers.

ReFED executive director Chris Cochran said: "ReFED's 2016 Roadmap to Reduce US Food Waste identified concrete opportunities to save money and resources, feed people and create jobs.

“The Innovator Database and Policy Finder build on the Roadmap by creating a one-stop shop for stakeholders interested in understanding food waste policy and innovation, two levers that have the power to make a change across sectors.

“These tools reveal that food waste reduction is both a source of viable, scalable business enterprise and a potentially significant job generator."

ReFED has been working towards reducing the $218bn of US food waste.

Harvard Law School assistant clinical professor of law Emily Broad Leib said: "To reach the national 50% food waste reduction target, we need supportive policies at all levels of government. This year, more than a dozen states are considering new food waste legislation.

"We hope this tool will help businesses and food recovery organisations better understand the applicable laws so that they can make better food recovery decisions, while also helping policymakers implement better laws and even experiment with new policies to reduce the waste of healthy, wholesome food."