On September 29th, WRAP Americas partnered with Hamilton County ReSource’s Wasted Food Stops with Us to launch a dynamic consumer education campaign in honor of the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste. The goal: help families save money and reduce food waste, an issue that costs the average American $800 a year.
This campaign goes beyond awareness. Through community events, social media, and partnerships with schools and businesses residents will gain access to practical tools like meal-planning guides, storage tips, and creative cooking strategies to waste less and save more.
“We’re making food-saving easy and accessible for everyone,” says Leah Karrer, Executive Director of WRAP Americas. “By providing practical tools like meal-planning guides and storage tips, we can help take the financial pressure off families while building stronger, more resilient communities. We’re thrilled to be working with colleagues in Hamilton County ReSource through a coordinated outreach program across schools, community centers and businesses to inspire long-term habits that will cut waste and strengthen community resilience in the Greater Cincinnati area.”
Food waste isn’t just a financial burden it’s a climate issue. Globally, it accounts for 8–10% of greenhouse gas emissions. In 2022 alone, households worldwide wasted 631 million tons of food. Locally, Hamilton County is mobilizing a coalition of partners including the City of Cincinnati, Food for the Soul, La Soupe, and the Ohio Farmers’ Market Network to tackle the issue head-on.
The campaign promotes four key behavior shifts:
- Stock Check Squad – Know what you have before shopping
- The Fab 5 – Five ways to transform what you have into something delicious
- Recipe Inspir’AI’tion – Using digital prompts to come up with new recipes for what you have on hand
- Fridge Boss – Store food smartly to keep it fresh longer
Separately, Hamilton County ReSource is working with Green Umbrella and Last Mile Food Rescue to host a dedicated Wasted Food Summit on Tuesday, October 29th at Memorial Hall. The summit will bring together changemakers, chefs, business leaders, and sustainability advocates to explore innovative solutions for food waste reduction. The summit is generously funded by Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) and will serve as a regional catalyst for long-term change.
Whether you’re a parent stretching the grocery budget, a student learning to cook, or a retiree looking to reduce waste, the campaign and summit offer tools and inspiration for every household.
