US Will Waste 267 Million Meals This Thanksgiving: ReFED
According to the food systems think tank ReFED, roughly 320 million pounds of food are expected to be wasted this Thanksgiving, an increase from 316 million pounds in 2024. This loss equals about $550 million in retail value.
ReFED notes that the wasted food could have provided around 267 million meals for people in need. The figures emerge amid ongoing food insecurity and high inflation in the United States, raising concerns about the stability of the nation’s food supply chain.
Economic and Social Context
As of September 2025, average food prices remain 18.2% higher than in January 2022. This surge, combined with uncertainty around the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), adds pressure to households. Federal judges have directed the Trump administration to continue SNAP payments from emergency funds, but the ongoing government shutdown risks delaying benefits for millions.
Causes and Implications
ReFED’s study focuses primarily on food waste at the household level. Yet, the rise in waste during a period of elevated prices points to broader inefficiencies in the food supply chain, spanning overproduction, consumer habits, and poor planning.
Analysts warn that the growing waste problem has both environmental and financial consequences, emphasizing the need for stronger consumer awareness and systemic reform.
Thanksgiving Waste Breakdown
- 40% of total holiday food waste comes from turkey.
- 12% of hosts admit they will not handle leftovers properly.
- 50% of participants say they are not concerned about food waste.
- 45% plan to send guests home with leftovers.
“The amount of food going to waste this year represents some 267 million meals that could have gone to people in need,” says ReFED.
Author’s Summary: Rising food waste during a time of high prices highlights inefficiencies in America’s food system and signals the need for both consumer and policy action.
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