Food Waste Intelligence

This is a recurring feature where Leanpath Executive Chef Robb White examines real food waste images from Leanpath 360s and shares insights based on what he sees.

Food waste has received substantial global attention in the last 4-5 years, as well it should. Along with food waste, plastic waste is now the subject of enormous global focus – and deservedly so. As with food waste, the scale of plastic waste – and its environmental impact – is truly alarming. These twin challenges are linked: A great deal of plastic waste is related to food, and much of it ends up in landfills, rivers, and the oceans.

Food Matters Live has recognized Leanpath with the Sustainability Initiative of the Year Award. Food Matters Live, hosted in London, brought in 800 leading organizations, 400 speakers, and thousands of visitors across a range of professions and disciplines, all with one goal: creating cross-sector connections focused on the future of food, drink and sustainable nutrition.

Holiday buffets are a tradition – no matter what aspect of the hospitality industry you are in. It's a pleasure to cook for the masses and make their holidays unforgettable, but when each buffet is torn down, we must deal with all the leftover food. We all know that even with strong planning, overproduction will happen.

In a highly visible gathering at the USDA in Washington D.C. the U.S. government increased its focus on the food waste challenge, launching its “Winning on Reducing Food Waste Initiative” – headlined by the signing of a formal agreement by the leaders of the Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).