Click here for tools and tips on food waste reduction at choosemyplate.gov.
Video Courtesy of the County of Hawaii Department of Environmental Management Solid Waste Division and Recycling Section.
2 minute video on the life of a strawberry
![Food Recovery Hierarchy Order of Preference: Source Reduction, Feed Hungry People, Feed Animals, Industrial Users, Composting, Landfill/Incineration](/files/assets/public/v/1/public-works/images/fd_recovery_hierarchy_lg.jpg)
Many food waste estimates are based on a USDA study completed in February 2014. Though the study finds that 31% of food value is lost, the range may be as high as high as 40% Nationally based on recent data. (USDA study)
Below is information from a local article on food waste using the national study as well as data collected in Hawaii.
![40% of seafood in Hawaii is thrown away while 1 in 5 keiki go hungry. Learn More at www.kauai.gov/foodwaste and www.savethefood.com](/files/assets/public/v/1/public-works/images/ad-4-640x414.jpg)
Food Waste in Hawaii
Hawaii pays some of the highest food prices in the U.S., but we still toss out 237,000 tons of food per year or 26% of the available food supply. This food waste equals over $1 billion or 1.5% of the states GDP. This equals approximately $700 per person (in Hawaii), per year.
Almost half of all the fresh fruit produced or imported into the State is thrown away, while rice and seafood hovers around 40% uneaten.
![Almost half of all fresh fruit in Hawaii is thrown away while over 11,000 Kauai Residents a year require food assistance. Learn more at www.kauai.gov/foodwaste www.savethefood.com](/files/assets/public/v/1/public-works/images/ad-1-640x414.jpg)
For more information on Hawaii food waste and how businesses can reduce their own production you can read this article from Hawaii Business Magazine- http://www.hawaiibusiness.com/wasted/
All businesses- http://www.foodwastealliance.org
Restaurants and other food establishments may want to check out http://conserve.restaurant.org/
To find out other ways to save food, visit savethefood.com.
How Can I Divert Food From Landfills?
Feed People, Not Landfills - An estimated 50 million Americans do not have access to enough food. Organizations can donate safe and healthy food to a food bank or food rescue organization and both reduce food sent to landfills and feed those in need.