Item Description:
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Approve Agmt PR00005401 with Padilla to develop and implement a broad food waste prevention campaign, 07/01/23-07/31/25, NTE $600,000
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WHEREAS:
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An estimated 80 million tons of food, valued at $310 billion, goes to waste in the U.S. each year, nearly half of which is generated at home. Uneaten food in the U.S. consumes 22% of all freshwater use, represents 6% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, and accounts for 24% of our total waste generation;
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED, that Agreement PR00005401 with Padilla to develop and implement a broad, consumer-focused, behavior-change campaign to reduce wasted food at home, for the period July 1, 2023 through July 31, 2025, with a not-to-exceed amount of $600,000, be approved; that the Chair of the Board be authorized to sign the agreement on behalf of Hennepin County; and that the Controller be authorized to disburse funds as directed.
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Background:
According to ReFED (a collaboration of more than 30 industry, nonprofit, foundation, and government leaders leading U.S. efforts to address food waste), U.S. consumers waste more food in homes (48%) than any sector of the food supply chain each year. Despite the attention this issue has received over the last decade, there is still considerable effort needed to increase consumer awareness about the impacts of food waste, and how consumers can make meaningful changes.
A broad-scale consumer education campaign is one of the strategies recommended by ReFED for having the greatest potential to reduce food waste generated at home. To inform the development of the campaign, the county conducted focus groups in 2021, which included a diverse representation of county residents, to learn more about residents' awareness of the issue, what prevents people from acting, and what differences exist among people in different stages of life to develop multiple messages that will resonate with Hennepin County residents. Focus group participants reporte...
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