As the leading national non-profit focused exclusively on food waste, ReFED has established itself as the “Big Tent” for the sector. Our robust data and insights about the extent, causes, and impacts of food waste; our unique understanding of the capital required to develop and scale food waste solutions; and our deep relationships with food businesses, innovators, capital providers, policymakers, and more position us to generate large-scale impact by coordinating a systems-change approach to food waste reduction.
Theory of Change
Our vision is 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 mission to get there is to end food loss and waste across the food system by advancing data-driven solutions.
Strategies
Motivate More actors through compelling data, actionable guidance and strategic communications
Mobilize More Action through catalyzing capital, collaboration, and innovation
Advancing Solutions by increasing the knowledge base and setting the course for coordinated efforts
Activities
Actionable Data & Insights Providing food waste data and insights to guide action through the Insights Engine, Roadmap and Progress Reports
Stakeholder Engagement Convening stakeholders to share information and resources around challenges and solutions
Capital & Innovation Driving capital to solutions and supporting solution providers growth
Thought Leadership Promoting big-picture thinking to encourage evolution of the food system
Near-term Outcomes
A clear pathway towards action
More motivated actors
A coordinated, efficient movement
Increased access to solutions
Reduced financial barriers
Breakthroughs on key barriers
Long-term Outcomes
Increased adoption of solutions that reduce food waste and loss
Impacts
Reduce GHG emissions
Conserve natural resources
Increase resilience of food system supply chain
Increase recovered meals to individuals in need
Catalytic Case Study
Catalyzing Capital: Dreaming Out Loud
Dreaming Out Loud (opens in a new tab) (DOL) is one of the organizations that has expanded their efforts during the pandemic thanks to grants from the ReFED COVID-19 Food Waste Solutions Fund. DOL creates economic opportunities for marginalized communities by operating a local sourcing food hub that supports small local farms (60 percent are farmers of color and 70 percent are women) and Black-owned food enterprises in feeding the DC and MD region through farmers markets and community supported agriculture.
ReFED Impact Story
Advancing Solutions: Standardized Date Labelling Working Group
Beginning in 2016, ReFED took the initiative to convene a multi-stakeholder Date Labelling Working Group of over 40 industry experts to agree on which products should receive the quality and the discard date labels. The Working Group developed the Date Labeling Standardization Tool – a tool intended to help food businesses determine whether food products should receive a quality or safety based label. In 2017, the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) announced voluntary guidance on a two-code labeling system – “Best if Used By” as a quality-based label, and “Use By” as a safety or discard-based label. This was followed later that year by a joint announcement between Champions 12.3 and the Consumer Goods Forum to apply a two-code system globally.
"It really feels like ReFED has put themselves at the service of other organizations on the front lines ensuring food security and food waste reduction. It is the first time that funders have created an environment for an organization I work for that is impact first and grantee centered, with funder support at every step of the way."
Hannah Semler
FarmDrop
To learn how you can support our mission, please contact us via email.