Waste Less, Feed More: A Local Food Waste Policy Toolkit
The Harvard Law School Food Law and Policy Clinic, in collaboration with the Vermont Law and Graduate School’s Center for Agriculture and Food Systems, has released a new toolkit!
“Waste Less, Feed More: A Local Food Waste Policy Toolkit” explores how local governments across the United States are combatting food waste through policy change.
As the U.S. continues to generate $380 billion of surplus food every year, local governments throughout the country have sprung into action to combat this immense waste of resource. From integrating food waste into strategic plans to establishing donation and diversion requirements at special events, local governments have seized the opportunity to implement innovative food waste reduction policies.
FLPC’s newest resource outlines each of these unique, local-level food waste policies, explains the legal authority of local governments to establish these policies, offers best practices, cites examples from over 70 U.S. city and county governments, links to model policies, and provides sample policy language.
Given city and county governments’ proximity to residents, food businesses, and waste management sites, they are well-positioned to facilitate food waste solutions. The examples in the Toolkit demonstrate that practical, effective local policy can have a powerful impact.
FLPC will also be hosting a launch webinar on Thursday September 17 from 3–4pm EST. This webinar will include a discussion with local government stakeholders about seizing local food waste policy opportunities and applying best practices.
