United States: Policy Highlights and Opportunities

The U.S. sends about 63 million tons of food to landfills each year. This waste consumes 21% of all fresh water, 19% of fertilizer, and 18% of cropland in the U.S. At the same time, 11 percent of U.S. households were food insecure in 2018.

Atlas Research: United States

Legal Guide

Learn more about the legal frameworks relevant to food donation and how the United State's existing laws and policies support or hinder the country's progress.

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Policy Recommendations

Dive into recommendations for policymakers based on the gaps and opportunities identified in the legal guides.

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Executive Summary

Read highlights of the research findings and our high-level recommendations.

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Policy Highlights

The United States research was published in June 2020 and was made possible with the advice and support of our on-site partners, including Feeding America.

Liability Protection for Food Donations

The U.S. was the first country to offer liability protections for food donations, and still maintains one of the strongest protections around.

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Tax Incentives

The U.S. offers one of the most generous tax incentives for food donors. U.S. taxpayers who donate food are eligible for two deductions under federal law:

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Government Grants & Incentives

The U.S. stands out among countries as one of the most generous in terms of governmental support for food recovery and donation.

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Policy Opportunities and Recommendations

Food Safety for Donations

One area for action in the U.S. is to clarify the food safety rules that apply to donated foods, as the country has no clear regulations or guidance regarding the requirements

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Date Labeling

Unclear and misleading date labels in the U.S. lead to millions of tons of waste. Unlike other countries, which have standard labels to distinguish foods that are likely to

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Mapping food donation policies around the world

The Atlas map compares food donation laws and policies in different countries and evaluates legislation across several issue areas. Use the map to see where your country stands and learn from best practices around the world.

Explore Interactive Map

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About Us

Learn about the project and the partners behind this flagship research.

Methodology

Read our detailed project methodology rooted in inclusion, accuracy, and transparency.

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