As we approach the end of the year, I wanted to take a moment to thank you for being a part of the ReFED community and supporting our work to increase the adoption of food waste solutions across the supply chain.

It’s been an exciting year with significant momentum in the food waste space. We’ve seen the launch of the first National Strategy for Reducing Food Loss and Waste and Recycling Organics; the passage of a game-changing law to standardize food date labels in California; landmark analysis showing that grocery retailers on the West Coast decreased the amount of unsold food at risk of going to waste by 25%; and more than 30 countries—including the United States—adopting a COP29 declaration to reduce methane emissions from organic waste. These are no small feats, and they give me hope as we look toward next year.

Within our organization, we have also experienced remarkable momentum. From building out our capacity with six new staff members, including Executive Director Sara Burnett; to launching a set of products and services to help businesses implement food waste reduction strategies; helping establish the U.S. Food Waste Pact, the first national voluntary agreement for food businesses to accelerate progress toward their waste reduction targets; and expanding our Insights Engine with new data on methane emissions for surplus food—we’re well-positioned to drive even greater impact in 2025.

We are aware of the challenges that lie ahead. The new year brings us closer to 2030 and the national and international goal to reduce food waste by 50%, a commitment that we’re not currently on track to meet. At the same time, I still believe we’re in a “food waste moment,” where a combination of factors—from high food prices to the rise of new AI solutions—make right now the best time to reduce food waste. And I firmly believe that through collaboration and dedication, we can overcome any obstacles in our path.

In closing, I want to wish you and yours a joyful, relaxing, and delicious holiday season. We look forward to working with you to drive progress on reducing food loss and waste in the new year—and beyond.

Warmly,

Dana Gunders, President, ReFED