What percentage range is cited for food waste in America?

• A. 10-20 percent
• B. 40-50 percent
• C. 50-60 percent
• D. 30-40 percent

Answer: (D)

This question tests how much food is wasted in the United States. The best-fitting figure is that roughly 30-40 percent of the food supply goes to waste. This range comes from estimates that consider losses across the entire food system—farm production, processing, distribution, retail, and consumer waste. Because studies use different methods and categories, the exact number varies, but 30-40 percent is the commonly cited range for the amount of food that isn’t eaten. It’s higher than 10-20 percent and lower than the 40-60 percent range, which makes 30-40 percent the most accurate reflection of typical estimates. Understanding this helps grasp why reducing waste can have a big impact on food security, costs, and the environment.