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.
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Employee Engagement:
A Key to Success
Engaging employees in food waste reduction initiatives creates a powerful, organization-wide commitment to sustainability. Employees are often closest to the daily operations where waste occurs and can identify inefficiencies or opportunities for improvement. Empowering them to take ownership of solutions transforms food waste reduction from a top-down mandate into a shared mission.