According to the 2026 ReFED food waste report, U.S. surplus food dropped by 2.2% in 2024 to 70 million tons, largely due to a nearly 950,000-ton reduction in residential waste as Americans sought new ways to extend their grocery budgets. A survey found that 45% of Americans reported using leftovers more often — 40% said they were more conscious of using up fresh food before it spoils — 48% reported cutting back on non-essential grocery items, all behavioral patterns linked to the reduction. Framing this milestone as a “historic low driven by households” carries an implicit claim that consumer behavior is the primary lever for progress. However, with the commercial sector still contributing a large portion of waste, and structural barriers like inconsistent date labeling still unresolved by crediting households as the main driver creates a misleading precedent where policy attention should be directed.

https://www.thepacker.com/news/sustainability/report-shows-u-s-food-waste-historic-low-driven-households