FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 25, 2026
New York Advocates Launch New Coalition to Cut Food Waste, Slash Methane Emissions, and Expand Food Access Across New York
Albany, NY — Today, City Harvest, Environmental Advocates NY (EANY, Island Harvest, and Earthjustice launched the New York Food Waste Action Network (NYFWAN) and NYFWAN webpage, a statewide coalition dedicated to reducing food waste, expanding food access, and cutting climate emissions across New York State. NYFWAN was formed to build alignment and momentum among numerous food system stakeholders on innovative and impactful food loss and waste mitigation policies in New York State.
The Network will bring together community organizations, food rescue partners, farms, businesses, advocates, and policymakers to build solutions that keep food out of landfills and on the plates of New Yorkers who need it most.
“Rescuing food from landfills doesn’t just protect the environment — it helps us solve the hunger crisis in our own communities. To do it, we need to work together to reduce waste at the source — and that means new laws and policies that change behavior for the better,” said EANY’s Director of Healthy Communities, Niamh Moore.
“As New York City’s first and largest food rescue organization, City Harvest sees every day how much perfectly good food is wasted while New Yorkers go hungry,” said Jilly Stephens, CEO of City Harvest. “As a co-founding member of the New York Food Waste Action Network, we’re focused on systemic solutions—bringing partners together to advance practical, policy-driven approaches that reduce food waste at the source and ensure more high-quality food reaches the communities who need it most.”
“Island Harvest is helping consumers by advocating for clearly and easily understood food date labels,” said Gregory A. May, Director of Government & Community Relations for Island Harvest Food Bank. “Standardized food date labels will help ensure purchased food is eaten or donated instead of becoming part of the waste stream. We’re pleased to be a founding partner of the New York Food Waste Action Network, as part of our core mission is to reduce food waste on Long Island. The Food Date Labeling Act is a positive step in that direction.”
“Cutting food waste through smart legislation slashes emissions, saves money and precious resources, and puts food where it belongs—on people’s plates” said Earthjustice’s Senior Associate Attorney, Ashley Ingram.
“Food is meant to fill stomachs, not landfills,” said Mayor’s Office of Food Policy Executive Director Kate MacKenzie. “To strengthen our supply chain and better direct food to New Yorkers in need, we need to work together at every step along the way. The New York Food Waste Action Network recognizes how thoughtful, strategic collaboration can prevent the waste of not only food but the water, labor and all the resources that go into producing it – saving the planet and saving New Yorkers money at the same time.”
The Network invites organizations, businesses, and individuals to join in advancing solutions that keep food in circulation and out of landfills.
Additional Background
- The New York Food Waste Action Network is a partnership spearheaded by Environmental Advocates NY, City Harvest, Long Island Harvest, and Earthjustice, with the support of other environmental and food security organizations committed to a more sustainable and equitable food system.
- Food waste is one of the largest contributors to the methane emissions from landfills that accelerate climate change. In New York alone, roughly 30-40% of food produced goes uneaten, representing a missed opportunity to address hunger and environmental risk.
- Reducing food waste is one of the most effective climate strategies available. It helps us cut emissions and conserve water and land, while ensuring that the food we produce goes to people who need it.
- Every year New Yorkers waste 22,000 metric tons of food, costing them $141 million in wasted grocery spending.
- When it’s dumped in landfills, this food generates 118,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, including 58% of landfill methane — one of the most potent gases in warming our climate.
Founding Coalition Members
- Environmental Advocates NY is New York’s leading environmental watchdog, working for over 50 years to advance strong environmental laws and hold decision-makers accountable.
- City Harvest is New York City’s largest food rescue organization, dedicated to fighting hunger by rescuing surplus food from restaurants, farms, and grocery stores and delivering it free of charge to facilities that serve New Yorkers in need.
- Island Harvest is a leading hunger-relief organization with a mission to end hunger and reduce food waste on Long Island.
- Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit public interest environmental law organization.
# # #
