Kansas City Food Wise helping region reduce food waste

Americans throw away nearly one-third of the food they buy every year, costing the average household about $1,800 annually. Food waste also has an enormous negative impact on our community, economy and the environment.

Kansas City Food Wise is a new regional effort to reduce food waste, increase access to healthy food, and build a sustainable food system that benefits us, our community and the planet. It is the result of a two-year Sustainable Materials Management Grant provided by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency, Region 7, to the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC). 

The project website, KCFoodWise.org, provides the following food waste reduction strategies and resources:

• Simple steps people can take to reduce the food they waste through planning, shopping, storage, preparation, eating habits, sharing and composting. 
  
  
• A food system map designed to build connections among all the individuals and organizations that are part of our regional food system. The map includes listings for community gardens, compost operations, food kitchens, food pantries, gleaning operations, livestock, urban farms and programs where people in need can access food.
  
  
• A get involved section that provides the latest news, event listings, volunteer opportunities and job postings. 
  
  
• The Kansas City Regional Food Loss and Waste Reduction Action Plan, which provides a comprehensive set of short-, medium- and long-term solutions to reduce the amount of food that is wasted in our region. 

“Kansas City Food Wise not only helps individuals reduce food waste and save money,”  Matt Riggs, MARC Solid Waste Management District outreach coordinator said. “It helps everyone access healthy food and provides opportunities for each of us to help grow a sustainable food system that benefits us, our economy and environment long term.”