Expressing support for the recognition of September 29, 2025, as "International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste".

Bill Number

H.Res. 778

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Agriculture and Food

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-09-30: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.

Last Updated

2026-04-06T13:01:30Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This House Resolution (H. Res. 778) aims to express the U.S. House of Representatives' support for designating September 29, 2025, as the "International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste." It highlights the global scale of food waste, its environmental and social impacts, and the need for prevention to address hunger, climate change, and resource inefficiency.

Key Provisions

• Background Facts ("Whereas" Clauses): The resolution outlines key issues with food waste, including:
• Annual global loss of over $1 trillion in food, equating to nearly 40% of all produced food.
• Impacts on hunger, affecting 783 million people worldwide, including 150 million children under five with stunted growth due to nutrient deficiencies; better food distribution could help alleviate this.
• Contribution to 8-10% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with food in landfills releasing methane—a gas 86 times more potent than carbon dioxide for warming over 20 years.
• In 2022, 1.05 billion tons of food wasted globally, with 60% from households, 28% from food services, and 12% from retail.
• Potential benefits of reducing waste: Halving it by 2030 could cut global agricultural GHG emissions by 4% and reduce undernourishment by 153 million people.
• U.S. commitment via the June 2024 "National Strategy for Reducing Food Loss and Waste and Recycling Organics," which sets goals for preventing waste, recycling organics for a circular economy (reusing materials to minimize waste), lowering emissions, saving costs, and improving communities.
• Core Resolution ("Resolved" Clause): The House:
• Supports recognizing September 29, 2025, as the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste.
• Acknowledges the importance of implementing food waste prevention methods.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This is a non-binding resolution, so it introduces no legal changes or enforceable requirements. It builds on the existing 2024 National Strategy but does not amend laws or create new obligations.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: May encourage federal agencies (e.g., those involved in agriculture and environment) to promote awareness and align with the National Strategy, potentially influencing education or outreach programs without mandating action.
• On Citizens: Raises public awareness about food waste's links to hunger and climate change, possibly motivating households (the largest waste source) to adopt prevention practices like better meal planning or composting, leading to cost savings and reduced environmental harm.
• On International Relations: Supports global efforts by endorsing an international awareness day, aligning U.S. policy with worldwide goals to halve food waste by 2030, which could strengthen diplomatic ties on climate and food security issues.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Consumers and Households: Primary sources of waste; encouraged to reduce personal contributions for economic and environmental benefits.
• Retailers and Food Services: Account for 40% of waste; targeted by the National Strategy for prevention and recycling improvements.
• Government and Policymakers: U.S. House, federal agencies, and international partners focused on agriculture, environment, and hunger relief.
• Vulnerable Populations: People facing hunger (783 million globally) and communities affected by climate change, who could indirectly benefit from reduced waste and better food distribution.
• Environmental Groups: Benefit from emphasis on GHG reductions, particularly methane from landfills.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: As a simple resolution, it has no force of law and requires no presidential approval; it serves as a symbolic statement from the House only.
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's role in expressing policy positions under Article I, without infringing on executive or state powers.
• Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (introduced by Rep. Lawler with cosponsors from both parties) signals broad consensus on food waste as a non-partisan issue linking environmental protection, public health, and economic efficiency; it reinforces U.S. international commitments without controversy, potentially paving the way for future binding legislation on sustainability.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]

Cosponsors (8)

Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1], Rep. LaLota, Nick [R-NY-1], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6]

Recent Actions

• 2025-09-30: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
• 2025-09-30: Submitted in House
• 2025-09-30: Submitted in House

Bill Versions

• Expressing support for the recognition of September 29, 2025, as "International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste". — issued 2025-09-30 — PDF (3 pages)