Food waste is a huge issue, here and around the globe.  As a country, we throw away 40 percent of all the food produced, or up to 160 billion pounds each year. The price tag for that waste approaches $218 billion. And, with production losses at virtually every step along the way, from production to household disposal, the waste impacts everything from water resources to farmland to energy use and more. As a whole, it is an incredibly inefficient system.

To help educate Floridians on the issues of food waste, UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County has joined in the efforts of Florida Food Waste Prevention Week, running April 10-16. The week aims to heighten awareness around the issues of preventing food waste, saving money, reducing hunger, and protecting our environment.  The event is a dynamic and comprehensive week filled with special activities and events designed to raise awareness and inspire behavior change to reduce food waste at home, work and in our communities.

In support, IFAS faculty have created courses on the subject of food impacts, waste and composting.

• How Food Waste Impacts Your Life
• Ways to Save: Money-Saving Food Habits at Home
• Composting:  A Surprising Way to Protect Water Quality
• Let’s Make Some Black Gold!
• Thought for Food:  Thinking Critically About Food, Nutrition & Agriculture

• Sustainable Food and You
• Making Savvy Decisions at the Grocery Store

IFAS Online Courses:

• Composting Basics
• Vermicomposting in Florida

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