Identifying Food Waste Hotspots in the Ground Beef Supply Chain
Whole Chain: Ground Beef
November 10, 2025
The U.S. Food Waste Pact commissioned a study on food waste in the ground beef supply chain. Several companies participated in the research, including one processor, two distribution centers, and four retailers. This initial study explored where and why waste is occurring, with the ultimate goal being to catalyze collaboration among supply chain partners to explore solutions that address the root causes of ground beef waste.
This work determined that:
45% of processor waste was caused by ground beef falling to the floor.
60% of distribution center/retail waste was due to product expiration.
Packaging ground beef in vacuum packaging could significantly reduce waste, particularly at the distribution/retail nodes.
Similar Case Studies
Case Study
Reducing Fresh Strawberry Loss & Waste in the Retail Supply Chain
February 21, 2024
Case Study
Reducing Food Loss & Waste in the Frozen Potato Supply Chain
February 22, 2024
Case Study
Reducing Plum Food Loss and Waste Across the Retail Supply Chain
April 9, 2025
Collaborate Across the Food System
The U.S. Food Waste Pact brings stakeholders from across the supply chain together to prevent and reduce food waste. From producers, to manufacturers, to distributors, to foodservice operators, to grocery retailers, signatories of the Pact report food waste data, discuss best practices, and test and scale food waste solutions.