COVID: Agricultural Waste & Revenue

Why did COVID increase food waste? Americans spend more at restaurants than they do for groceries

What is happening to the food usually supplied to restaurants & large institutions?

• restaurants are pivoting to food suppliers for their communities
• agricultural waste

What regulatory actions are happening in response?

• Federal agencies are altering agricultural landscape
• easing rules governing trucking agricultural products
• easing rules on agricultural imports
• easing rules on agricultural visas
• easing rules on labeling requirements for restaurants and manufacturers

What new industry partnerships are emerging?

• Kroger, the largest U.S. supermarket chain, has partnered with foodservice giants Sysco and U.S. Foods (suppliers of restaurants and large institutions) to share labor and keep store shelves stocked
• Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association is calling on government acquisition of dairy supplies to distribute to food pantries

Politico | Food goes to waste amid coronavirus crisis