US will waste 267m meals this Thanksgiving: ReFED

US to Waste 267 Million Meals This Thanksgiving, Says ReFED

Approximately 320 million pounds of food are expected to be wasted during this Thanksgiving, according to the food systems think tank ReFED. This is an increase from 316 million pounds reported in 2024.

The discarded food holds a retail value of about $550 million, which equates to roughly 267 million meals that could have been given to those in need, states ReFED.

Food Waste Amid Economic Challenges

These figures come at a time of ongoing food insecurity and rising prices in the United States, highlighting the pressure on both consumers and food producers. Food prices in September 2025 were approximately 18.2% higher than in January 2022.

Federal judges have directed the President's administration to continue SNAP (food stamps) payments through emergency funding. However, the current government shutdown poses a risk of delaying benefits to millions of recipients.

Consumer Food Waste and Its Broader Impact

ReFED’s research focuses on food waste at the consumer level, yet the increasing waste during a period of high food costs exposes inefficiencies throughout the supply chain—from overproduction to consumer choices. This waste has both financial and environmental consequences.

"The lost food represents about $550 million in retail value." — ReFED
"The amount of food going to waste this year represents some 267 million meals that could have gone to people in need." — ReFED

Consumer habits remain the leading cause of holiday food waste.

Summary

The significant food waste this Thanksgiving, amid economic strain and food insecurity, highlights major supply chain inefficiencies and calls for greater consumer awareness.

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AgFunderNews AgFunderNews — 2025-11-03

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