Food Matters Case Studies

Credit: MP&F Strategic Communications

Case studies were coauthored with our partner organizations.

Food waste is an international problem with local solutions. City and county governments, alongside local organizations, are well positioned to reduce food waste through local initiatives to prevent food from being discarded, rescue surplus food to help address food gaps in local communities, and recycle food scraps to minimize what goes into landfills and incinerators.

The Food Matters initiative at NRDC partners with cities to achieve meaningful reductions in food waste through comprehensive policies and programs. Through Food Matters, NRDC has worked closely with local stakeholders and government officials to limit food waste. NRDC has helped to support local organizations, build new programs, and create the infrastructure necessary to reduce food waste for the long term.

These case studies examine our on-the-ground work and key examples from governments and businesses, from developing school curriculums to working with local compost and hauling organizations, highlighting the lessons learned and the components of success. As cities explore options for reducing food waste, they may find this information helpful for evaluating the scope of the problem and implementing effective local solutions.


Bon Appétit’s Imperfectly Delicious Produce

Daily Table: Rescuing Food and Creating Better Alternatives for Low-Income Families

DC Central Kitchen

Drexel Food Lab

San Francisco Composting

Second Harvest

Vermont’s Universal Recycling Law

Waste Not Orange County Coalition

Other Cities

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