At least 40% of food in the US is wasted (NRDC). According to the MA Department of Environmental Protection, food waste and other organic material make up approximately 21 percent of the total waste stream in the state, equaling 950 thousand tons a year in Massachusetts in 2019. At the same time, more than 650,000 Massachusetts residents are food insecure, making the disposal of edible food a missed opportunity to better synthesize and strengthen multiple sectors of the food system (Feeding America). Food waste poses an environmental hazard as well, as discarded organic materials in landfills create methane, a greenhouse gas which contributes to climate change. And landfilling or incinerating food waste is expensive for municipalities and has public health and environmental impacts.
The Collaborative facilitates a network of organizations that are helping to reduce wasted food in Massachusetts, including food rescue organizations, gleaning organizations, composting organizations and farms, and environmental groups. This network shares information and builds relationships across the sector. The Collaborative works to engage around proposed state legislation and regulatory changes that could impact food waste and supports organizations in advocating for changes that would positively impact their work.
2025 Network Meetings
March 20, 11 am – Network Meeting & Skill Share
May 13, 1 pm – Network Meeting, Meet & Greet: Food Rescue/Donation
July 17, 11 am – Network Meeting, Meet & Greet: Gleaning
September 19, 11am – Network Meeting, Meet & Greet: Composting
November TBD
For more information and to be added to the listserv, please contact Emily Fidanza at [email protected]
Food Waste Reduction Partners & Advocates
Below are food waste reduction organizations, including food rescue, gleaning, and composting organizations that work to reduce food waste around the state, and engage with the Food Waste Reduction network.
If you are part of a group or organization working on food waste reduction and would like to be added to the Food Waste Reduction Network listserv and the map, please reach out to Emily Fidanza at [email protected].
2019 Report: Reducing Food Waste in Massachusetts: Local Successes Informing Statewide Solutions
MA Food System Collaborative
Municipal Approaches to Reduce Food Waste in MA
MA Food System Collaborative
External Resources
More Information
The Collaborative is tracking the following bills in the 2023-24 Legislative session.
An Act encouraging the donation of food to persons in need
S.920: Sen. Jo Comerford / H.1594: Rep. Hannah Kane
Thousands of tons of edible food is sent to landfills each year because of donors’ concerns about liability, and because diverting it to those who need it can be costly. This bill will provide civil liability protection for persons who donate food directly to consumers, as well as for food establishments that donate food, and a tax credit to Massachusetts farmers in the amount of the fair market value of the donated food, with a $5,000 annual cap per farmer.
