Letters to the Editor

The views expressed are those of the individual authors and not necessarily those of DTN, its management or employees.

**

To the Editor:

MORE THAN WE CAN CHEW

Americans have far too much on their plates when it comes to fighting major issues like climate change and global hunger. While millions of people worldwide face hunger, approximately 40% of the U.S. food supply goes unsold or uneaten -- amassing 133 billion pounds of wasted food each year (about $161 billion in value). This staggering percentage not only highlights a critical imbalance in global food distribution but also represents a huge misuse of resources, including water, energy, and labor.

While many Americans may understand the social implications of food waste, fewer understand the environmental impact. Globally, food waste -- discarded food that is still safe for consumption -- accounts for about 8% of total human-caused greenhouse gas emissions. Food waste generates approximately 4.4 gigatons of CO2 equivalent annually, comparable to the collective annual emissions of 957 million cars on the road. While the accumulation of waste is most measurable in landfills, food is discarded at all phases of the supply chain -- including on farms, during production and/or processing, while in transit and storage, via retail or food service, and at the consumer level in individual homes.

WASTE NOT, WANT NOT

So, what can be done? According to the EPA, the top two solutions to this issue are reduction in food waste and redistribution for human consumption. In theory, both of these solutions sound ideal -- but what do they look like in practice?â?¯

When it comes to reducing current levels of food waste, innovators in waste management and sustainability are working hard to invent and test scalable solutions. At the production level, companies are leveraging artificial intelligence to optimize inventory and minimize overproduction. Several companies -- including IKEA -- have harnessed AI-enabled waste tracking solutions that recognize food being discarded (without changing operational procedures) and/or streamline ordering fresh food from wholesalers to significantly reduce surplus in the industry.

At the consumer level, innovators are working to promote shopping habits that lessen food waste. For example, addressing resistance around "ugly" produce may limit the amount of edible fruits and vegetables discarded solely for their appearance. Supermarkets are also adopting practices to minimize packaging and allow customers to purchase only the portions of products that they need; Aldi has even tested selling loose produce rather than pre-packaged bundles, enabling customers to buy the exact quantities desired.

Where excess is inevitable, some businesses are transforming food byproducts into new, marketable alternatives -- for example, upcycling whey from cheesemaking into protein supplements or damaged avocados into cooking oil.

By way of redistribution, Food Rescue programs are on the rise. For example, organizations like Aloha Harvest, City Harvest, Food Forward, and the Food Recovery Network are hard at work recovering and redirecting uneaten food to those in need. While this may sound like the perfect solution, not all food waste can be cleared for human consumption (due to safety regulations and liability concerns). Many perishables require refrigeration and quick transport, which can pose logistical challenges. Some foods, like prepared meals or items close to expiration, may not be accepted by donation programs due to limited shelf life. Not to mention cost and efficiency -- in some cases, it may be more expensive to collect, store, and redistribute surplus food than to compost or discard it.

TWO BIRDS

Reducing and redistributing food waste are worthy causes, but we need additional adaptive solutions to address this crisis quickly and effectively. What if we could -- as the agriculturists say -- feed two birds with one scone? With farm debt increasing by 23% since 2022, the agriculture industry faces skyrocketing feed costs on resource-intensive crops like corn and soy. Could food waste provide an affordable, nutrient-rich alternative to traditional, carbon-negative animal feed? According to the EPA, the answer is a resounding yes, with feeding animals being the third key solution to addressing food waste effectively and sustainably.

Thanks to game-changing visionaries, there's a new technology in the market that can convert all types of food waste -- including bakery products, fruits, and vegetables -- into a shelf-stable, high-protein feed suitable for livestock. Using groundbreaking sorting, blending, and drying technologies, this process diverts food waste from landfills and provides farmers with an eco-friendly, cost-effective alternative. This AI-powered process is FDA-approved and guarantees a consistent and reliable feed supply that can benefit farmers' difficult financial decisions, including feed rations and whether to sell or keep cattle. What's more, by utilizing converted food waste, farmers are reducing their reliance on traditional feed crops, saving money and land/water resources while reducing methane emissions.

When it comes to food-to-feed, one household's "trash" really could be a farmer's "treasure." It's both ethical and prudent for farmers to provide their livestock with a steady diet of premium (yet affordable) ingredients, as good nutrition directly affects animals' body condition score, milk or egg productivity, fertility, and immune system. The high-quality feed produced through converting food waste is nutrient-dense and highly digestible, ideal for use in various pet food, poultry, swine, aquaculture, and dairy feeding operations.

These initiatives reduce waste, support farmers economically, and create jobs. Manufacturing jobs, in particular, are extremely valuable to regional communities and the national economy.

FOOD FOR THOUGHTâ?¯

The fight against food waste is not just a social, environmental, or economic issue -- it's an opportunity for advancement, imagination, and smarter resource management. Addressing food waste will continue to require a collective effort from businesses, policymakers, and consumers. By embracing future-forward solutions, society can curb waste, reduce emissions, and create a more sustainable food system that benefits both humans and animals alike.

While upcycling, food rescue programs, and AI-driven inventory management offer promising benefits, food-to-feed technology will be essential for working across the supply chain to build a sustainable closed-loop system. By incorporating food waste back into the feedstock, we can evoke the cyclicality of nature by showing a renewed investment in both our economy and the environment. With continued advancements and creative collaboration, we have the potential to turn unethical excess into immense opportunity.

Laxmi Wordham,

Chief Growth Officer for Bright Feeds and Co-Chair of the Climate & Democracy Group at the Leadership Now Project

**

Letters may be emailed to edit@dtn.com or mailed to Greg Horstmeier, DTN, 18205 Capitol Avenue, Omaha, NE 68022.

(c) Copyright 2025 DTN, LLC. All rights reserved.