Data & Insights
Overview
Leveraging Data and Insights to Highlight Supply Chain Inefficiencies and Economic Opportunities
While we know roughly how much food is wasted, the causes, the impacts on the environment and economy and the solutions, one of the key challenges in the field is lack of data both on the problem itself and on the most effective solutions. At ReFED, we continue to set the pace to support measurement and action to reduce food waste in the U.S., by being the definitive source of data and economic analysis, and moving the food system from acting on instinct to insight-driven actions. To further support the food waste sector, ReFED leverages compelling data and insights to highlight supply chain inefficiencies and economic opportunities.
Starting with the 2016 Roadmap to Reduce U.S. Food Waste by 20 Percent, ReFED has developed a trusted history of producing first-of-their-kind tools and resources that provide a full-supply-chain picture of U.S. food waste, cost-effective solutions to the problem, credible data and accessible methods to track progress. While that initial report was an extremely successful start, the field is ever evolving and we need the data to catalyze and enable that growth.
As such, we’ve developed the ReFED Insights Engine, an online data center designed to serve as the next generation of data, insights, and guidance on U.S. food waste. This interactive platform combines over 50 public and proprietary datasets, and subject matter expertise from our Expert Network, a group of over 75 food system professionals who span across the private and public sectors.
Your Source for Data and Solutions:
ReFED Insights Engine
The ReFED Insights Engine is the most comprehensive data source on food loss and waste in the United States. Featuring extensive analyses, customized views, and regular updates, it's an indispensable resource for building out your food waste reduction strategy."
A New Pathway to Action
The ReFED Insights Engine supports stakeholders across the food system in achieving their waste reduction goals by:
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Serving as a centralized, trusted repository of information built with data from more than 50 public and proprietary datasets;
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Providing an extensive cost-benefit analysis of 40+ solutions that can drive measurable impact when implemented;
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Measuring the social and economic impact of specific food waste reduction efforts; and
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Connecting users with innovative solution providers ready to collaborate on food waste reduction initiatives.
With more granular data, more extensive analysis, more customized views, and the ability to be updated regularly, we see this living breathing data center as an evolution of our original printed Roadmap and enabling more effective decision-making across the food system.
Our Food Waste Tools
Food Waste Monitor
A centralized repository of information built with data from more than 50 public and proprietary datasets and providing granular estimates of how much food goes uneaten in the U.S., why it's happening, and where it goes.
Solutions Database
A stakeholder-specific, comprehensive cost-benefit analysis of 40+ food waste reduction solutions based on impact goals, plus detailed fact sheets on each.
Solution Provider Directory
A list of thousands of nonprofit and for-profit organizations ready to help implement food waste reduction initiatives.
Impact Calculator
A special resource that quantifies the impact of specific amounts of wasted food on the climate, natural resources, lost meals, and the economy.
Policy Finder
Use this tool to research current food waste policy at the federal and state levels and to discover best practices and recommendations for policy improvements that will support more food waste prevention, rescuing, and recycling
Capital Tracker
ReFED's Capital Tracker makes it easy to monitor the flow of capital into food waste, allowing both funders and solution providers to understand the landscape, identify key players, and plan out future funding strategies.
Our resource library provides organizations with extensive guidance and action tools to reduce food waste in their supply chain.