Food waste is a big problem for the environment, economy, and people. When food goes to landfills, it releases methane, a gas that’s over 20 times stronger than carbon dioxide at warming the planet. This is responsible for around 10% of the greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. Wasting food also uses up a huge amount of resources, 21% of freshwater, 19% of fertilizer, and 18% of all farmland all go to waste when the food ends up in the trash. In the U.S., about 40% of food is wasted every year, equating to about 133 billion pounds of food and $161 billion. Meanwhile, over 1.6 million people in L.A. County alone are food insecure. Cutting down on food waste helps the planet, supports people in need, and can save money. Families can save around $370 per person per year, and businesses that prevent food waste can save money and get financial incentives.