News & Events

States Struggle to Curb Food Waste Despite Policies

Food Supply Chain Efficiency

The United States generates more food waste than all but two countries. To address this, the federal government set a goal to cut food waste in half by 2030 compared to 2016 levels, to about 164 pounds per person annually. But a new study published in Nature Food and led by University of California, Davis, reveals that current state policies are falling short. Since 2016, per capita food waste has increased instead of decreasing.

Food Waste Rap Video

UC Davis student Emma Vazquez created a “food waste diss track” to call out food waste and highlight solutions for a more sustainable future. The music video was part of a course she took on urban food and society.

Aspiring Food Scientist Creates Low-Calorie, Eco-Friendly Candy Product

Circular Solutions for Food Recovery and Recycling

Driven by his passion for food science and brimming with ideas, UC Davis student Dion Skaria created Fit Candy – a nutritious treat that blends sweet and sour flavors while reducing food waste. This innovative gummy candy is crafted from upcycled watermelon rinds.

Upcycled Iron Chef Competition: Students Transform Food Waste into Culinary Delights

Circular Solutions for Food Recovery and Recycling

Georgian cheese bread, cilantro-blackened fish tacos, quesabirria tacos with seitan and cinnamon sugar churros – four culinary creations but only one was crowned winner of the Upcycled Iron Chef Competition at UC Davis.

Grape Seeds, Stems and Skins in Feed Can Reduce Dairy Cattle Emissions

Circular Solutions for Food Recovery and Recycling

California’s wine industry could play a role in reducing methane emissions from dairy cattle.

Researchers at University of California, Davis, added fresh grape pomace left over from winemaking operations to alfalfa-based feed for dairy cows and found that methane emissions were reduced by 10% to 11%.

The preliminary findings could offer a low-cost sustainable pathway for vineyards to reduce waste while helping dairy operations maintain quality while cutting back on emissions of methane, which is a powerful greenhouse gas.