What’s the most critical tool to fight food waste? Measurement. Without understanding where food is being wasted – and how much of it is being lost – it’s impossible to implement an effective food waste reduction strategy.
That’s why the Pacific Coast Food Waste Commitment (PCFWC) Measurement Working Group is so important. Like all PCFWC working groups, the Measurement Working Group provides a safe, confidential space for business signatories to discuss the most effective ways to track and measure food waste data within their operations.
A critical resource to do this is the new Grocery Retail Calculator developed by PCFWC resource partner ReFED. Currently only available to PCFWC signatories, the calculator is a first-of-its-kind tool that allows retailers to confidentially submit sales and inventory data in units and dollars, which is then converted into pounds of food to identify the portion going to waste. Importantly, the Calculator also includes a destination dashboard – including composting, donations, and other non-waste endpoints – to help retailers better understand what can be done with food at risk of being wasted beyond going to landfill.
PCFWC retail signatories are currently finalizing their data submissions, which will be used to develop a baseline for determining food waste reduction targets. ReFED has also created a version of the Calculator specifically for food manufacturers, which will be piloted by members of PCFWC signatory Food Northwest starting in August.
The PCFWC is a collaboration between private sector partners – grocery retailers, manufacturers, and other food businesses – and state and local jurisdictions along the West Coast working together to achieve food waste prevention at scale, share knowledge and best practices, and attract new funders to the cause.
Learn how your business can join with others in this important effort, including:
- Albertsons Companies’ West Coast divisions (which includes Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, and Pavilions stores)
- The Kroger Co.
- New Seasons Market
- PCC Community Markets
- Raley’s
- Sprouts
Contact James Pronio at james.pronio@wwfus.org for more information.
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