Introduction
A new survey has found that this state wastes the most food in the United States. The survey, conducted by Eat This Not That, found that this state wastes an average of over 1,000 pounds of food per person each year. This is a shocking amount of food waste, especially considering the fact that millions of people in the United States are food insecure. The survey also found that this state has the highest rate of food insecurity in the nation. This means that while this state is wasting an incredible amount of food, there are still people in the state who are struggling to put food on the table. It is clear that this state needs to take action to reduce food waste and ensure that everyone has access to healthy, nutritious food.
This State Wastes the Most Food, New Survey Finds
A new survey has revealed that California is the state that wastes the most food in the United States. The survey, conducted by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), found that Californians waste an estimated 3.5 million tons of food each year. That’s enough to fill the Rose Bowl stadium three times over.
The NRDC survey also found that nearly 40 percent of the food wasted in California is still edible. This means that millions of pounds of food that could have been eaten is instead being thrown away. This is a huge waste of resources, as it takes a lot of energy and water to produce food.
The NRDC survey also found that households are the biggest contributors to food waste in California. This is because households often buy more food than they need, and then end up throwing it away. The survey also found that restaurants and grocery stores are also contributing to the problem.
The NRDC is urging Californians to take steps to reduce their food waste. This includes planning meals ahead of time, buying only what you need, and storing food properly. The NRDC also recommends donating excess food to food banks and other organizations that can put it to good use.
Reducing food waste is an important step in helping to protect the environment. By taking steps to reduce food waste, Californians can help to reduce their environmental impact and make sure that food is not wasted unnecessarily.
We’ve all been there: you opt for a few unplanned takeout meals during the course of a long week and before you know it, those groceries you’d intended to eat are suddenly past their prime. Food waste is a major problem in the U.S. and beyond; according to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, between 30 and 40 percent of food in the U.S. is wasted, with approximately 133 billion pounds of food worth $161 billion dollars thrown out each year.
However, not all states are equal when it comes to their food waste. While a new study from U.S. Packaging and Wrapping reveals that Oklahomans waste the least food each year—at approximately $743.58 worth of groceries per capita—one state’s residents toss out nearly twice that much food on an annual basis.
Read on to discover which state wastes the most food every year. And for some foods that are absolutely worth keeping in your kitchen and on your plate, check out The 7 Healthiest Foods to Eat Right Now.
Annual per capita grocery waste: $1,060.81
America’s least populous state has a big problem when it comes to food waste. Wyoming’s approximately 580,000 residents waste an average of $1,060.81 worth of groceries each year.
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Annual per capita grocery waste: $1,071.30
Idaho’s approximately 1.7 million residents have a major food waste problem on their hands. Each year, Idahoans waste an average of $1,071.30 worth of food each.
Related: 12 Easy Ways You Can Cut Down on Food Waste Now, According to Experts
Annual per capita grocery waste: $1,079.62
Oregonians may waste a significant amount of food per capita each year, but research suggests they realize there’s a problem. According to U.S. Packaging and Wrapping’s data, Oregon ranks sixth out of the 50 states when it comes to awareness of their food waste issues.
Related: The Best Farmers Market in Every State
Annual per capita grocery waste: $1,091.23
Big Sky Country has a big problem when it comes to wasting food. The state’s approximately 1.069 million residents waste an average of $1,091.23 in groceries each every year.
Annual per capita grocery waste: $1,134.53
Massachusetts residents may waste a significant amount of food, but it’s not exactly a secret. The state’s residents rank seventh out of 50 states when it comes to awareness of their food waste issue.
Annual per capita grocery waste: $1,165.51
Massachusetts isn’t the only state in New England with some serious food waste issues. New Hampshire residents waste nearly $1,200 worth of food per year, but they rank 10th out of the 50 states when it comes to awareness of the problem.
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Annual per capita grocery waste: $1,239.47
Alaska is well-known for its high cost of groceries, but the state’s residents still manage to waste a significant amount of that costly food. U.S. Packaging and Wrapping’s data suggests that the average Alaskan wastes a whopping $1,239.47 in groceries each year.
Annual per capita grocery waste: $1,271.35
Like Alaska, Hawaii is a non-contiguous state, meaning it can be more difficult—and more expensive—to get groceries produced within the lower 48 states. However, that doesn’t keep Hawaii’s residents from wasting nearly $1,300 in groceries apiece each year.
Annual per capita grocery waste: $1,273.33
Maine’s got a sizable food waste problem—and its residents are all too aware of it. Not only is Maine the state with the second-largest food waste problem in the U.S., but the New England state also ranks second for awareness of the issue.
RELATED: The Worst Food Storage Mistake You’re Making Right Now, According to Experts
Annual per capita grocery waste: $1,374.24
The Green Mountain State isn’t very green as far as its habit of tossing groceries is concerned, with residents throwing away an average of $1,374.24 worth of food each year. However, the issue isn’t a secret among Vermonters, who rank number one for awareness of the problem.
For more, check out 12 Easy Ways You Can Cut Down on Food Waste Now, According to Experts.