Our Impact

As the only national non-profit focused exclusively on food waste, ReFED has established itself as the “Big Tent” for the sector. Our ability to produce robust datasets combined with our deep relationships with food businesses, innovators, capital providers, and policymakers provides ReFED with the unique ability to generate large-scale impact by coordinating a systems-change approach to halving U.S. food waste by 2030.

Theory of Change

Our vision is a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive food system that optimizes environmental resources, minimizes climate impacts, and makes the best use of the food we grow. Our mission to get there is to end food loss and waste across the food system by advancing data-driven solutions.

Strategies

Motivate More actors through compelling data, actionable guidance and strategic communications

Mobilize More Action through catalyzing capital, collaboration, and innovation

Advancing Solutions
by increasing the knowledge base and setting the course for coordinated efforts

Activities

Actionable Data & Insights Providing food waste data and insights to guide action through the Insights Engine, Roadmap and Progress Reports

Stakeholder Engagement Convening stakeholders to share information and resources around challenges and solutions

Capital & Innovation Driving capital to solutions and supporting solution providers growth

Thought Leadership Promoting big-picture thinking to encourage evolution of the food system

Near-term Outcomes

A clear pathway towards action

More motivated actors

A coordinated, efficient movement

Increased access to solutions

Reduced financial barriers

Breakthroughs on key barriers

Long-term Outcomes

Increased adoption of solutions that reduce food waste and loss

Impacts

Reduce GHG emissions

Conserve natural resources

Increase resilience of food system supply chain

Increase recovered meals to individuals in need

Catalytic Case Study

Catalyzing Capital: Dreaming Out Loud - ReFED

Dreaming Out Loud (DOL) is one of the organizations that has expanded their efforts during the pandemic thanks to grants from the ReFED COVID-19 Food Waste Solutions Fund. DOL creates economic opportunities for marginalized communities by operating a local sourcing food hub that supports small local farms (60 percent are farmers of color and 70 percent are women) and Black-owned food enterprises in feeding the DC and MD region through farmers markets and community supported agriculture.

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ReFED Impact Story

Advancing Solutions: Standardized Date Labelling Working Group - ReFED

Beginning in 2016, ReFED took the initiative to convene a multi-stakeholder Date Labelling Working Group of over 40 industry experts to agree on which products should receive the quality and the discard date labels. The Working Group developed the Date Labeling Standardization Tool – a tool intended to help food businesses determine whether food products should receive a quality or safety based label. In 2017, the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) announced voluntary guidance on a two-code labeling system – “Best if Used By” as a quality-based label, and “Use By” as a safety or discard-based label. This was followed later that year by a joint announcement between Champions 12.3 and the Consumer Goods Forum to apply a two-code system globally.

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See how the ReFED efforts have inspired action and efforts in these featured organizations and companies.

See Featured Organizations

"It really feels like ReFED has put themselves at the service of other organizations on the front lines ensuring food security and food waste reduction. It is the first time that funders have created an environment for an organization I work for that is impact first and grantee centered, with funder support at every step of the way."

Hannah Semler

FarmDrop

To learn how you can support our mission, please contact us via email.

Our Impact

Our Impact

Theory of Change

Strategies

Activities

Near-term Outcomes

Long-term Outcomes

Impacts

Catalytic Case Study

Catalyzing Capital: Dreaming Out Loud - ReFED

ReFED Impact Story

Advancing Solutions: Standardized Date Labelling Working Group - ReFED

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