About this Event
Rethinking Food Loss and Waste: Policy, Innovation, and Action
Wednesday, December 9, 2026 | 12:00 AM – 1:30 PM
U.S. Capitol Visitor Center | Washington, D.C.
Join us for a special Capitol Hill luncheon exploring the policies, innovations, and partnerships needed to reduce food loss and waste in the United States and around the world.
Hosted by Food Tank, ReFED, and the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI), with U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree, this gathering will bring together Members of Congress, food industry leaders, policymakers, researchers, and advocates to discuss practical approaches to preventing food waste across the food system.
From farms and food manufacturers to grocery stores, restaurants, and households, food loss and waste affects every part of our food system. The luncheon will examine what businesses and governments are doing to address the problem, what is working, and where additional policy and investment are needed.
Conversations will include:
- Private Sector Approaches to Food Loss and Waste: How food companies, retailers, and supply chain leaders are working to prevent waste and improve efficiency.
- Learning from Global, State, and Local Approaches: Lessons from food waste initiatives across the United States and around the world.
- Congressional Leadership on Food Loss and Waste: A conversation about federal policy, bipartisan opportunities, and the role of Congress in advancing solutions.
Featured Speakers Include:
- Dana Gunders, President, ReFED
- Ronni Kahn AO, Founder and Visionary in Residence, OzHarvest
- Dr. Stephen Neel, Vice President of Global Food Optimization, Lineage Logistics
- Garreth Hubbard, Senior Director of Government Affairs, American Frozen Food Institute
- Kumar Chandran, Policy Director, ReFED
- Danielle Nierenberg, President, Food Tank
- U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree, Maine
Additional speakers and Members of Congress will be announced soon.
Event Details
Wednesday, December 9, 2026
11:30 AM (doors) – 1:30 PM
U.S. Capitol Visitor Center
Washington, D.C.
Lunch will be provided.
This luncheon is part of the 2nd Annual Food and Agriculture Policy Week, bringing together policymakers, farmers, researchers, and food leaders for a series of conversations on Capitol Hill and at George Washington University from December 8–10, 2026.
Event venue & nearby stays
The U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, First Street Southeast, Washington, United States
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