Our Mission:
ReFED is a U.S.-based nonprofit working to solve food waste.
We're an engine for change, known for our deep sector knowledge, broad convening power, and collaboration across supply chains and sectors—serving as a driver and connector for the movement and a central resource on the topic.
Food waste is a systemwide problem, so we work with businesses, funders, policymakers, researchers, and more to increase the adoption of food waste solutions. The good news is that many effective solutions already exist—and that means food waste is a problem that we can actually solve.
Our strategies include:
Our Vision
All of our work is in support of a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive food system that optimizes environmental resources, minimizes climate impacts, and makes the best use of the food we grow.
Our Values
Our values ground our decision-making, root our actions in a shared purpose greater than ourselves, and are a cornerstone of our work. At ReFED, we're committed to:
Collaborative Expertise
We convene the food system and leverage the expertise and capabilities of individuals to collectively advance solutions.
Diverse Perspectives
We believe our work is enriched by an inclusive network of diverse and underrepresented voices that help us contribute to our mission.
Credible Data
We provide data that comes from identified sources, is grounded in accessible analyses, and serves as the foundation for impactful solutions.
Practical Ambition
We lead with an entrepreneurial spirit and approach problems and solutions with a strategic and economic mindset.
Tangible Outcomes
We are driven by purposeful action and seek observable results, judging our progress through the achievement of milestones large and small.
Our History
Since our inception, ReFED has worked to bring new philanthropic and investment capital—along with technology, business, and policy innovation—to the food waste challenge.
ReFED launched in 2015 as a collaboration of more than 30 industry, nonprofit, foundation, and government leaders committed to reducing food waste in the United States. We were formed to create A Roadmap to Reduce U.S. Food Waste by 20 Percent, the first-ever national economic analysis and action plan to tackle the issue at scale. The first Roadmap was designed to fill the gap between awareness and action by creating transparency in the waste flows, costs, and opportunities of a more efficient food system. These frameworks and methodologies have been adopted or used by over 20 organizations, including the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, Walmart, Deloitte, and Johns Hopkins University. ReFED has since evolved into one of the nation’s leading food waste organizations working to build a more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive food system.
Our solutions analysis in the Roadmap focused on three core outputs:
A total net societal “Economic Value” based on their cost-effectiveness per ton of waste.
The non-financial impacts of each solution—greenhouse gases reduced, water conserved, meals saved, and jobs created.
The business profit potential that the private sector could earn by investing in each solution.
ReFED's Founding
Jesse Fink is a venture philanthropist who has dedicated the past two decades to working on solutions to climate change and other environmental issues. Jesse and his wife, Betsy, first became interested in food waste as a solvable issue from their hands-on experience operating Millstone Farm, a farm Betsy established in Wilton, CT. They soon realized that reducing food waste at scale would have a game-changing impact on climate change, natural resource depletion, and food insecurity. In 2014, the Fink Family Foundation (opens in a new tab) commissioned MissionPoint Partners (opens in a new tab), an impact investment management company, to create a roadmap for a systems-based approach to solving food waste in the United States. Through the hard work of a team of people and organizations, as well as the intellectual and financial support of philanthropic families, foundations, and corporations, this project led to the creation of ReFED in 2015. Jesse served as inaugural Board Chair of ReFED until 2020 and remains an active board member.
Equity & Inclusion
ReFED is committed to creating an inclusive work environment where all individuals have equal opportunities to contribute and grow. We recognize that our success is rooted in the diverse perspectives and backgrounds of our team members, and we strive to foster a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to recruiting, hiring, developing, training, and promoting individuals regardless of their gender identity, sex, race, religion, age, national origin, political affiliation, ancestry, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. We recognize that systemic barriers can create challenges, and we are committed to fostering a more inclusive environment by promoting justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) across all aspects of our organization. Our commitment to JEDI is an ongoing journey, and we are committed to continuously learning, listening, and improving our practices to create a more equitable and inclusive workplace for all. ReFED is grateful to The Betsy and Jesse Fink Family Foundation (opens in a new tab), which has provided a grant to fund some of our JEDI program work.
Beyond our passion for food, we’re a team of problem-solvers, researchers, and strategists. Meet the people behind our work.