SACRAMENTO (AgPR) — It is a sad irony that while U.S. farmers and ranchers are the most productive in the world, the United States at the same time wastes more food than any other country. While so many Americans struggle with hunger today, 40% of the food produced in the U.S. is thrown away, making it a critical issue to address for the future.
The Agri-Pulse Food & Ag Policy Summit West on September 9 will feature a conversation about food waste and how one company is making a difference. In 2017, the Kroger Co. started a national initiative aimed at ending hunger in the communities Kroger calls home and eliminating waste across the company by 2025. Kelli McGannon. Kroger’s Director for Western Regional Corporate Affairs, will talk about the company’s commitment to Zero Hunger | Zero Waste and how it could be a model for others to follow.
“At Kroger, our goal is to be a positive force for change in our communities and to continuously drive sustainability and innovation,” McGannon said. In three years, the initiative has reached some impressive milestones, such as surpassing its three-year goal to donate 1 billion meals by 2020 and increasing year-over-year food waste tonnage recycled by 28%.
“Food waste is a challenge that the entire food industry from farm to plate needs to address,” said Agri-Pulse Editor Sara Wyant. “Kroger’s initiative is a great example of how we might be able to do it and we are very happy to be able to have Kelli address this issue at our summit.”
Additional presenters at the summit include CDFA Secretary Karen Ross; Don Cameron, California State Board of Food and Agriculture; Ashley Boren, Sustainable Conservation; State Senator Brian Dahle; Jamie Johansson, President, California Farm Bureau Federation; Brett Sciotto, Aimpoint Research; Paul Buttner, California Rice Commission; Jacob Katz, California Trout; Udi Lazimy, Senior Sustainability Manager, Just; Eric Schulze, VP, Memphis Meats; and Nicki Briggs, VP, Perfect Day Foods.
This virtual event will be hosted from the California Farm Bureau Federation offices in Sacramento on September 9 from 9 am to 5 pm (PDT) and broadcast for all participants. There will be a 30-minute lunch break from 12-12:30 pm. As a special “Happy Hour” bonus from 4-5 pm, sponsored by Western Growers Association, Agri-Pulse editors will discuss the challenges of covering agriculture in the nation’s largest agricultural state. Please click on the following link to register for the Food & Ag Summit. The event is free to current Agri-Pulse
Sponsors for the Agri-Pulse Food and Ag Policy Summit West include: Corteva, California Farm Bureau Federation, FLM Harvest, Western Growers Association, Aimpoint Research, AgNetWest, California Rice Commission, Farm Credit, Nutrien, and CCI Marketing.
About Agri-Pulse: Agri-Pulse is a trusted source in Washington, D.C. and Sacramento, CA, with the largest editorial team focused on food and farm policy coverage. The multimedia company provides a balanced perspective on a wide variety of issues including nutrition, trade, food safety, water & environment, labor, biotechnology, organic, conservation and crop insurance. For more information about the company, go to www.agri-pulse.com. For questions about the Summit, contact Sandi@Agri-Pulse.com.
–Agri-Pulse
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