Find out the true cost of food waste in America. Our survey of over 1,000 people reveals how wasted groceries quietly drain household budgets and what you can do to save money.

We’ve all wasted food without meaning to. Whether it’s a busy week or last-minute plans that keep us from cooking, some groceries never make it onto the table. These small moments don’t feel significant on their own, but together they chip away at our budgets, especially when grocery prices are already high.

To understand the real impact, we surveyed over 1,000 people across the U.S. and compared their habits with grocery spending data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The results reveal where food waste has the most significant impact, what foods Americans are most likely to waste, and the small changes that can help keep good food out of the landfill and on the table.

Key Findings

• Utah residents lead the nation in annual grocery waste, losing an average of $674.55 per person. The states that follow in the top five are: Washington ($589.70), Maryland ($585.68), Iowa ($575.10), and North Dakota ($539.92).
• Nearly half of Americans (46%) discard food because they forget about it, contributing to the average $421.44 in annual grocery waste per person.
  In the past year, 86% of Americans threw away unopened groceries.
• Gen Z is the most wasteful generation, throwing out an average of 15% ($486.27) of their groceries annually.
• On average, a family of four throws away more than $1,680 worth of groceries every single year.
• Fresh vegetables (56%) and fruits (49%) are the most wasted foods in America; in fact, Americans are 367% more likely to waste vegetables than they are to waste meat.
• Over the past year, nearly one in five Americans took on debt to afford groceries.

How Much Food Goes to Waste in America?

From forgotten produce to half-eaten leftovers, wasted food is a common sight in every kitchen, and it takes a real toll on our wallets.

Food waste in America can add up fast, and just how much you’re losing depends a lot on where you live. The average American throws out $421.44 in groceries annually. Utah ($674.55), Washington ($589.70), and Maryland ($585.68) lead the list of states that lose the most each year. From 2023 to 2024, Utah’s grocery spending saw the fourth-highest increase, so it’s no surprise that residents are experiencing a high cost of food waste as costs continue to rise. On the other side, Delaware households waste the least, losing about $261.80 per person annually, with Rhode Island ($284.71) and West Virginia ($296.56) rounding out the bottom three.

Beyond these state differences, age plays a significant role in determining the amount of food waste that ends up in the trash. Gen Z tops the list, wasting approximately 15% ($486.27) of their grocery haul annually, while Baby Boomers waste the least, at 11% ($356.60). These differences demonstrate that how we live and shop can be nearly as significant in contributing to food waste as where we live. This trend is evident when looking at unopened groceries. On average, 86% of Americans admitted to tossing unopened or untouched grocery items in the past year, but Gen Z once again leads the way at 91% compared to 76% of Baby Boomers. Families of four feel this most: they’re 300% more likely than dual-income no-kids (DINK) households to throw away unopened food every month.

Life gets busy, and it’s not always possible to eat everything we buy before it goes rotten. Luckily, prepping a few budget-friendly recipes ahead of time can help cut back on waste while reducing stress. No matter where you live, there’s an opportunity to reduce food waste, and the solution often starts by getting creative with leftover food. Simple leftover chicken recipes, such as a chicken salad or a creamy noodle soup, are quick ways to turn ingredients into a fresh meal and prevent good food from going to waste.

What Ends Up in the Trash Most Often

Food waste in America often starts at the grocery store, long before dinner is served. What feels like a smart buy in the moment can easily turn into forgotten leftover food.

The problem with food waste in America often starts in the produce aisle. Fifty-six percent of Americans toss fresh vegetables before they’re fully consumed, making them the most wasted item in the kitchen. On top of that, 61% percent of Americans who toss fresh vegetables do so every month, highlighting the need for smarter storage and creative ways to extend the life of your produce. In comparison, just 12% of Americans say they regularly waste meat. Thus, Americans are 367% more likely to waste vegetables than they are to waste meat.

So why do so many Americans throw out food? The top reason is spoilage: 81% say their groceries go bad before they can finish them. Nearly half (46%) admit to forgetting about food items in the fridge, while others say their family didn’t eat it (28%) or they didn’t want leftovers (24%). These habits are costly: on average, a family of four throws away more than $1,680 worth of groceries every single year (based on 2 adults and 2 children over the age of 12; actual waste would fluctuate based on children’s ages). Gen Z is more likely than older generations to waste food because they forgot about it (49%) or stored it incorrectly (26%). Millennials, many of whom likely have young kids at home, stand out because they’re the most likely generation to waste food, having purchased too much at once (24%).

The main reason Americans overbuy food is because they’re tempted by bulk deals with lower cost per unit (42%) and BOGO sales (40%), followed closely by the desire to reduce trips to the store (38%) and shopping while hungry (37%). The challenge is that while bulk buys can feel like a bargain, that decision can backfire if the food spoils before someone can eat it. Learning what’s smart to buy in bulk and what’s not, and how to store it properly, is one of the easiest ways to reduce food waste. Even small tricks can make a big difference, like turning the leftover liquid from a can of chickpeas into aquafaba, a handy egg substitute for baking or making whipped cream, helping you stretch your grocery haul.

Why Food Gets Tossed Too Soon

For many households, food waste starts with how we judge freshness. Pair that with common storage mistakes, and good food goes to waste long before it should.

A major driver of food waste in America is confusion surrounding “best by” dates. Thirty-one percent of Americans throw away food on or before its printed expiration date, even if it’s still perfectly safe to eat. Gen Z is the most cautious, with 40% discarding items by the date on the package, compared to only 25% of Baby Boomers. Baby Boomers are also 44% more likely than Gen Z to use their own judgment instead of relying on labels, checking smell or appearance to decide if food is still good. And while many play it safe, 1 in 8 Americans admit to eating eggs for up to a week past the “best by” date.

Storage practices play a major role in reducing food waste. Families of four, who juggle more groceries, are 66% more likely than DINK households to waste food due to improper storage. The good news? Most households are making an effort to improve their storage solutions.  Seventy-seven percent say they rely on airtight containers for leftovers, 52% separate fruits and vegetables, and 43% keep bread in the fridge. A smaller share label and date food before freezing (31%), wash and dry produce before storing (25%), or keep herbs in water (11%). Simple shifts in these habits can extend freshness, reduce food waste, and save money in the long run. For example, knowing how to properly store an avocado can help prevent one of the most commonly wasted fruits from going bad before you have the opportunity to eat it.

Americans are already making progress with waste-reducing strategies, such as freezing leftovers (59%), sticking to shopping lists (56%), and meal planning (48%). If you want to reduce food waste, learning how to store food correctly and trusting your senses instead of relying solely on dates are among the easiest ways to make a significant change.

How Rising Grocery Costs Change the Way We Eat

As grocery prices rise, households are rethinking their shopping habits, from clipping coupons to cutting back on everyday staples and finding creative ways to repurpose leftover food.

Rising grocery costs are changing the way Americans shop, eat, and save. To combat these rising costs, many have delayed grocery shopping (30%), stopped or reduced their purchases of soda (27%), or chosen less healthy options (24%). Nearly one in five Millennials has dipped into their savings to afford groceries. Across all shoppers, cutbacks are most common on big-ticket food items, such as specialty cheeses (34%), meat (30%), and packaged snacks (28%). 

Households are even cutting back on everyday staples, such as eggs (16%), fresh fruit (14%), and vegetables (12%), as people look for ways to make their money go further. It’s a reminder that when grocery budgets get tighter, wasting less and making the most of what we buy becomes even more critical.

Getting Creative with Leftover Food

Not all leftover food goes to waste. In fact, 84% of Americans say they’ve given leftover food a second life in the past year. Favorite foods for repurposing include chicken (64%), rice (44%), vegetables (40%), beef (40%), and pasta (35%). One in seven Americans uses leftover roasted turkey to turn their holiday leftovers into post-holiday classics. Similarly, one in three Americans even says they use leftovers for soups and stews, including popular recipes like leftover chicken soup, as well as dishes like a warming beef stew or a comforting vegetarian chili.  

In addition to reducing food waste, repurposing leftovers sparks creativity in the kitchen. Over one in five Americans say they reinvent sauces into a brand-new meal, like this easy spaghetti sauce. With the holidays around the corner, it’s the perfect time to find new Thanksgiving leftover recipes and get creative with leftover turkey recipes and leftover ham recipes.

Start Reducing Food Waste Today

Let’s be honest, we’ve all accidentally contributed to food waste. But don’t worry, small lifestyle changes can make a huge difference in your kitchen! It all starts with tweaking your shopping habits, mastering simple storage tricks, and getting smart about bulk buys and meal prep to save money and help reduce waste. We’ve gathered some of our best tips, right from the Inspired Taste kitchen, to help you make the most of every single ingredient.

1. Smart Shopping and Planning

Writing a shopping list before your weekly or daily grocery trips can save you more money than you think! You’ll find and select exactly what you need, avoiding any extra items that might derail your meal plans and expenses. Gather your thoughts and list your groceries so you stop overbuying anything unnecessary, and you’ll be one step closer to a waste-free kitchen.

Also, we know “best by” dates on the packaging usually make us feel like we have to toss perfectly good food. But what this means is that the food will be at its peak quality by then, not that it becomes unsafe to eat. So if a day or two have passed, use your senses first. If it looks and smells good, it’s probably fine to eat.

2. Master Your Storage Space

The way you store food can make a world of difference. Start by getting to know your pantry and fridge. A great rule of thumb is “first in, first out”: just like at a grocery store, place the older items at the front so you use them first.

And for your produce, think about where it came from. Some things love the countertop, like your potatoes, onions, and garlic. But for others, like berries, leafy greens, and carrots, the fridge is their happy place. Remember to keep a little space between certain fruits and veggies. Apples and bananas, for example, release a gas that can cause other produce to spoil faster, so keep them away from sensitive items like broccoli.

3. Bulk Buying

Buying food in bulk can definitely save you some money, but only if you plan accordingly. It’s best to buy items that either last a long time or freeze well. Grains, beans, and dried pasta are super stable and versatile, and meat and poultry are great options too! Just be sure to portion it out and pop it in the freezer for later. 

However, some things are best to buy in smaller portions. Fresh produce and dairy have a short shelf life, and ground spices lose their kick quickly. So for those, it’s better to buy just what you need to keep things fresh and full of flavor.

4. Store Prepped Meals Like a Pro

If you love meal prepping, you’re already ahead of the game! However, the secret to keeping those meals delicious lies in the storage. After you cook, make sure to let everything cool down a bit before putting it in the fridge—this prevents bacteria from growing. 

Transfer your meals into airtight, shallow containers to keep them fresh and tasting their best. And don’t be afraid of a “leftover night”! You can even get creative and transform a meal, like turning leftover roasted chicken into a delicious new sandwich. If you won’t be able to eat a meal in the next few days, the freezer is your best friend. It’s like hitting a pause button on freshness, giving you an excellent meal for a busy day later on.

Methodology

To explore food waste in America, we surveyed 1,009 Americans. This sample size provides a 95% confidence level with a low 3% margin of error. Because this exploratory research relied on self-reported data, respondents may have biases, and discrepancies may exist between their answers and their actual experiences. 

We also looked at data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, comparing national grocery spending habits with the food waste reported by our survey participants.

Fair Use Statement

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