Yvette Cabrera
Director, Food Waste, Nature
Yvette Cabrera focuses on building a better food system for people, the climate, and the environment. Cabrera oversees engagement on federal and state food waste policy and cutting-edge research on food waste. She also manages the Food Matters project, through which NRDC partners with cities to achieve meaningful reductions in food waste with comprehensive policies and programs. Before joining NRDC, Cabrera worked at the Rockefeller Foundation, where she managed the day-to-day implementation of the YieldWise initiative in the U.S. as a food waste analyst. Cabrera holds a bachelor's degree from the University of California, Berkeley and a master's degree from New York University. She is based in NRDC's New York office.
Areas of Work
Agriculture & FoodRelated content
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Yes, Climate Wins Are Still Happening! Let’s Keep It Up in 2026.
NRDC in ActionUnited States, InternationalShelia Hu
Despite the science denialism of federal leaders, on the ground, we’ve continued to make strides for cleaner air, threatened wildlife and wildlands, and community resilience.
2025 Wins in Food Waste and What’s Next in 2026
Expert BlogUnited States, InternationalYvette Cabrera, Madeline Keating, Andrea Collins, Nina Sevilla, Anya Obrez, Darby Hoover
Food waste programs and systems made significant advances around the country—and even the world. It's important to keep up the momentum in 2026.
Food Is Not Trash
Expert BlogUnited StatesYvette Cabrera
Food waste diversion policies are a win-win for states.
Publications
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Food in Landfills Drives Climate Change
Fact SheetUnited StatesYvette Cabrera, Anya Obrez, Madeline Keating, Darby Hoover
NRDC is leading efforts to pass ambitious, enforceable food waste diversion policies to keep food out of landfills.
Food Matters Annual Report
Fact SheetUnited StatesMadeline Keating, Darby Hoover, Anya Obrez, Yvette Cabrera, Nina Sevilla, Andrea Collins
Celebrating the progress of the Food Matters initiative.
Liability Protections and Safe Food Donation
OverviewUnited StatesNina Sevilla, Yvette Cabrera, Madeline Keating
Redistributing surplus food is an important way to make sure good food gets to people and doesn’t end up in landfills or incinerators. NRDC has created some resources to help potential donors understand the liability protections that exist.