In 2021, the United States generated a surplus of 91 million tons of food waste. The consequences of producing but never consuming food, extend far beyond the wastefulness itself. It is an inefficient use of our precious food supply chain, with significant impacts on our climate, natural resources, and economy. The resources expended on growing, processing, and transporting food that will ultimately go uneaten are essentially squandered, further straining our fragile ecosystems. 

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the United Nations (UN) have broadened their definition of “food waste” to include uneaten food and inedible parts such as peels, pits, and rinds. These discarded food items can end up in various destinations, including composting, landfill, Incineration or even being left in the fields, unharvested. 

Solutions are needed to treat these waste streams and instead create a circular food system that avoids and minimizes resulting carbon and methane emissions. By minimizing food and ag waste, we can create a more efficient and sustainable food system for the future that not only benefits the environment, but also helps alleviate food insecurity and strengthens our economy. 

At Optimized Foods we are utilizing our proprietary technology platform to convert agricultural biproducts into high-value proteins. In doing so, we are not only contributing to the reduction of food and ag waste but also enhancing the value of existing materials through a sustainable and efficient process. 

Our Process 

Agricultural waste and byproducts are often rich in essential nutrients, mirroring those found in the primary products. As an example, Optimized Foods’ production platform can convert 1 ton of food waste into up to 308 kilos of nutrition-packed, high-value, delicious food.   

Let us strive for a future where our food system operates in harmony with nature and ensuring that EVERY resource invested in food production is maximized and utilized to its fullest potential. 

91 million tons https://refed.org/articles/refed-releases-new-food-waste-estimates-and-calls-for-increased-action-by-food-system/ 

definition  https://refed.org/food-waste/the-problem/#overview