Oregon DEQ’s Bad Apple Campaign returns to reduce food waste, boost budgets and benefit the environment
PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- As the holiday season approaches, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality's Bad Apple Campaign returns to help Oregonians take a bite out of inflation, minimize food waste and maximize holiday budgets.
The updated campaign features new resources and advice from people in Oregon who save money by reducing the food they waste at home.
“We have learned so much about which strategies work best by talking with people around the state,” said Elaine Blatt, DEQ senior policy and program analyst. “Households of all sizes are finding easy, practical things to keep their meal budgets down and preserve food before it goes to the compost bin and landfill. One family of four saved $200 per month!”
The campaign will share experiences, stories and tips throughout the year in local media and in communities throughout Oregon at farmer’s markets, schools and events. Content and ads for the Bad Apple Campaign are available for media and regional organizations to use and will be updated seasonally.
Food waste is the second-largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, behind transportation, measured by consumption-based emissions. Food production also takes a lot of land, water and labor, and an estimated 35% of all food produced or imported into the U.S. is never eaten.
“Reducing food waste is one of the most practical ways each of us can benefit the environment,” said DEQ Director Leah Feldon.
DEQ created the Bad Apple Campaign in 2021 to promote the many ways we can save money by “not letting good food go bad.”
The campaign also supports the state’s goal of cutting food waste in half by 2030, as outlined in the DEQ Materials Management Program’s 2050 Vision. The campaign received national recognition and, in 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded $410,000 in Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling grant funding to Oregon for implementation of the next phase.
Learn more about the environmental impacts of food or to get involved with food waste prevention by visiting the DEQ website or the Bad Apple campaign site. To get the latest updates food waste prevention work in Oregon, sign up for the email list through GovDelivery.
