The Progress on the Plate: 2026 U.S. Food Waste Report from ReFED highlights a meaningful shift in the fight against food waste. It is reported that the U.S. generated 70 million tons of surplus food in 2024. That is about 29% of the total food supply, marking a 2.2% decline from the previous year. This happens to be the first significant drop since the pandemic. This decline is significant and is suggesting that the country may have moved past “peak food waste”. It is emphasized that food waste represents lost resources across the supply chain, including labor, energy, and transportation. Investment in food waste solutions is also resurfacing, with private funding rising 6% to $794 million in 2025 after several years of decline. Also, increased policy action and investment in solutions. While this may signal progress, overall, the report emphasizes that continued effort in reducing food waste and collaborations across the supply chain are needed in order to sustain long-term reductions.

https://www.waste360.com/food-waste/refed-report-shows-first-meaningful-drop-in-u-s-food-waste-since-pandemic