Tech to Trash Can – How Technology Is Redefining Food Waste

Food waste is recognized as an endemic challenge around the world. According to Feeding America, nearly 40 percent of all food in the U.S. is wasted each year, about 119 billion pounds, estimated at over $408 billion. Wasting food while seeing people go hungry is only one aspect of the problem – consider the environmental resources needed to produce, package, and transport, and food waste grows even more concerning.

More than ever, we’re seeing threats at the source. Historic heat waves, droughts, fires, floods and other weather events are decimating crops. Georgia, the Peachtree State, has lost close to 90 percent of its peach harvest this year, while California’s tomato fields lay soggy from record rains. News of these events, coupled with inflation, have led consumers to become increasingly conscious about food waste, adopting strategies such as better meal planning, using leftovers, and buying imperfect produce or upcycled products.

For restaurants, an industry with…