By Andi Anderson
The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) has partnered with the City of Columbus to launch a pilot food waste reduction campaign.
The initiative, led by Brian Roe, Professor of Farm Management at CFAES, aims to reduce household food waste in Columbus, while also contributing to broader national efforts to combat food loss.
Columbus was chosen as the first test site for this consumer-focused project, which is part of a $2.5 million USDA-funded initiative. The campaign will focus on evaluating existing food waste reduction strategies and testing new methods in real households.
The findings will help shape a broader national campaign that addresses food waste across the U.S.
Roe emphasized the importance of the project, stating, "Reducing food waste helps households save money, and with today’s rising food costs, this is more important than ever."
He highlighted that approximately one-third of all food in the U.S. is wasted, and nearly half of that occurs in homes.
The campaign will work with Rutgers University to develop educational materials and share best practices with communities nationwide.
Researchers will collect data from different areas in Columbus to measure the effectiveness of various strategies. The goal is to develop a blueprint that other cities can follow.
The City of Columbus, known for its commitment to sustainability, was selected due to its proactive engagement. Mayor Andrew J. Ginther said, "This campaign will help families save on grocery bills while reducing the environmental impact of food waste."
The pilot will begin in early 2025, with data collected over several months to identify the most effective strategies. Results will be shared with two additional cities launching similar efforts in 2025 and 2026, with hopes that the Columbus initiative can serve as a national model for reducing food waste.
Photo Credit: ohio-state-university
Categories: Ohio, Education