We commonly throw away things like food scraps from fruits, vegetables, and leftovers. We have to remember, when any piece of our food goes into the trash, it is also a waste of all the resources, such as land, water, and energy, that went into producing, transporting, distributing, and storing that food item. Food waste can negatively impact the environment by polluting the land, water, and air which also effects human health. Making small changes to our shopping and meal preparation habits can help reduce food waste, save money, and reduce the harmful impacts food waste creates on the Earth. These efforts are an important piece in the sustainable diet puzzle. 

To address this educational gap with consumers, the Jessamine County Extension Office hosted the one-time program titled Feed People, Not Landfills. This program was developed to educate consumers about a healthy and sustainable diet-related behavior: reducing food waste.  13 people participated in the workshop at the Jessamine County Extension Office. Participants were women in their 60s.  

Of those who participated and were surveyed, 69% indicated they had a better understanding of how food waste negatively impacts the environment and human health. 77% stated they gained the knowledge to differentiate date labels and know how they impact food safety and quality, all to reduce the amount of food they throw away.  54% reported they had a better understanding of what strategies could be implemented to reduce their contributions to food waste in their homes. Further, 92% expressed the intention to preserve excess food by canning, freezing, or drying.  100% expressed their intention to transform leftovers into new meals to minimize the amount of food they throw away. Finally, 100% expressed their intention to share excess food with friends, family, or their community in an effort to reduce their food waste.