US will waste 267m meals this Thanksgiving: ReFED

US Will Waste 267 Million Meals This Thanksgiving: ReFED

About 320 million pounds of food are expected to be wasted this Thanksgiving, according to the food systems think tank ReFED. This marks a rise from 316 million pounds in 2024. The discarded food is valued at approximately $550 million in retail terms.

ReFED estimates that this amount of wasted food equals around 267 million meals that could have gone to those struggling with food insecurity. The organization highlights this as a major concern amid continuing inflation and widespread economic pressure across the United States.

Economic and Social Context

Food prices have increased by about 18.2% since January 2022, reflecting higher production and retail costs. Uncertainty surrounding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) adds to the instability. Federal judges have ordered President Trump’s administration to sustain SNAP payments using emergency funds, but the ongoing government shutdown threatens to delay these payments for millions of Americans.

ReFED’s Analysis on Food Waste

“The amount of food going to waste this year represents some 267 million meals that could have gone to people in need,” says ReFED.

According to ReFED, most wasted food originates in households, pointing to inefficiencies throughout the food supply chain—from overproduction to consumer behavior. Rising waste during a period of elevated prices underscores both financial and environmental costs.

Key Data Points

Consumer habits remain the primary factor driving food waste across the country.

Author’s Summary

ReFED warns that rising holiday food waste, worth over half a billion dollars, highlights inefficiencies and growing food insecurity amid nationwide inflation and policy uncertainty.

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AgFunderNews AgFunderNews — 2025-11-03

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