In the US over $43 billion worth of unopened, edible food is discarded every year.

As of 2011, 1.3 billion tons of food are lost or wasted each year. It is equal to one third of the global food production. The loss and waste of food happens at all levels of the food supply chain. The low-income countries lose food during production while developed countries waste about 220 pounds of food per person each year. 

Retail stores throw away large quantities of food that have expired. They lose a lot of food during transportation, too. Many U.S. states choose not to define food waste, because it is wrought with political issues and “correctness.” Unfortunately, food waste occurs at all levels in the U.S., which has the most diverse and abundant food supply in the world. 

Regulations and standards for food quality cause a lot of food waste along with appearance of food. Crops that are not to standard are left in fields to rot and die. Food processing causes food waste, but it is hard to tell how much exactly. 

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