Center for Biological Diversity

For Immediate Release, April 16, 2018

Contact:  Jennifer Molidor, Center for Biological Diversity, (707) 888-9261, jmolidor@biologicaldiversity.org
Jordan Figueiredo, ‘Ugly’ Fruit and Veg Campaign, (925) 336-1525, uglyfruitandveg@gmail.com

Analysis: Nine of America's 10 Biggest Supermarkets Fail to Publicly Report Food Waste

OAKLAND, Calif.— Nine out of America’s 10 largest grocery companies don’t publicly report their total food waste, according to analysis by the Center for Biological Diversity and the ‘Ugly’ Fruit and Veg Campaign.

The Center’s report, Checked Out, includes a report card giving a majority of the 10 companies a D or an F for failing to take meaningful action or give clear public commitments to address their contribution to the food-waste crisis. Forty percent of food that’s produced in the United States goes to waste, and businesses that serve or sell food are responsible for 40 percent of food waste in the country, with retailers accounting for more waste than restaurants or food-service providers.

“It’s appalling that America’s biggest supermarkets are doing so little to reduce their enormous contribution to the food-waste crisis,” said Jennifer Molidor, senior food campaigner at the Center. “Food waste is a growing problem that squanders water and farmland, hurting wildlife and putting food security at risk. We can stop this massive waste, but only if supermarkets are part of the solution.”

As the primary place where most Americans purchase food, supermarkets influence what makes it from farms to shelves, what happens to unsold food and even how much and what types of food shoppers buy.

Today’s report analyzed key food-waste reduction commitments, policies and actions at 10 companies — Ahold Delhaize, Albertsons, ALDI, Costco, Kroger, Publix, Target, Trader Joe’s, Walmart and Whole Foods Market — that operate a combined total of more than 13,000 grocery stores across the country. The companies were graded on their efforts to address the problem, from tracking and publicly reporting data to initiatives such as selling “ugly” produce.

Key findings include:

  • Nine out of America’s 10 largest grocery companies fail to publicly report their total volume of food waste. Ahold Delhaize, which owns supermarket chains such as Food Lion and Stop & Shop, was the only company that publicly reported this data.
  • The four companies that earned a C grade or higher were the only ones with specific food-waste reduction commitments. Kroger leads the way with a commitment of zero food waste by 2025.
  • Four of the 10 companies have no imperfect-produce initiatives, which can prevent the waste of imperfect fruits and vegetables.
  • Walmart was the only company with a variety of clear in-store efforts to reduce food waste, such as improving store fixtures, standardizing date labels and educating associates and shoppers.
  • All of the companies have food-donation programs, with the majority operating company-wide. ALDI was the only company that did not report a food-recycling program (e.g. composting, animal feed or other industrial uses).

Food waste has enormous environmental, social and economic costs. Although food-donation and recycling programs help keep food waste out of landfills, they don’t address the root of the problem. In order to conserve the natural resources wasted on producing uneaten food, supermarkets must adopt policies that improve transparency and tracking. They should adopt stocking practices to prevent excess, wasteful production before it happens.

“Customers have taken notice of the massive problem of wasted food and want businesses to take responsibility and action,” said Jordan Figueiredo, creator of the ‘Ugly’ Fruit and Veg Campaign. “That’s why we’re calling on American supermarkets to do their part and commit to eliminating food waste by 2025. Eliminating food waste in the grocery sector could have a ripple effect across society that could help address hunger, save money and protect the environment.”

Grocery Waste

Image courtesy Center for Biological Diversity. Images are available for media use.

The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 1.6 million members and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places.

www.biologicaldiversity.org

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