California’s Role in Thanksgiving Waste

As Californians prepare to gather around Thanksgiving tables, it is a good moment to thank the farmers, ranchers, and growers across this state who worked to raise and harvest the food we rely on. Their effort and commitment run year-round, and it deserves better than ending up in the trash.

This year, a ReFED analysis estimates three hundred twenty million pounds of Thanksgiving food will be wasted nationwide, adding up to five hundred fifty million dollars lost in a single day. That discarded food is the equivalent of two hundred sixty-seven million meals at a time when many families are struggling.

A recent survey shows more than ninety percent of hosts intentionally prepare more food than required, and every host ends up with leftovers. Still, twelve percent make no plan to manage them.

There are simple steps Californians can take. Send leftovers home with guests, build new meals from them, freeze what you can, donate packaged items, and use local composting programs when possible.

To learn more about the impacts of food waste and tips to make an impact where you can, head to https://refed.org/articles/how-much-food-will-go-to-waste-this-thanksgiving-about-550-million-worth/