National 4-H Food Loss and Waste Prevention Program
4-H and Youth Programming
Rowe Zwahlen
Extension Assistant Professor
Utah State University Extension
Castle Dale
Abstract
Food waste creates a critical environmental and economic impact, with the USDA estimating that 30 to 40 percent of the U.S. food supply is wasted annually. As youth across the country are stepping forward to address this challenge, the National 4-H Food Loss and Waste Prevention Program launched a multi-state initiative to empower the next generation of environmental stewards. Extension professionals coordinated program delivery across seven states. The program leveraged the expertise of a multidisciplinary team, including specialists in nutrition, horticulture, composting, livestock, and small animal systems, to deliver a comprehensive, science-based curriculum. Through 10 targeted webinars, program coordinators and 65 teen leaders were equipped with practical knowledge and tools to implement food waste reduction strategies in their schools and communities. These trained leaders then engaged more than 1,500 youth participants, significantly amplifying the program's reach and environmental impact. Participating schools successfully implemented share tables, a low-cost intervention that increases food access for students while diverting edible food from landfills. Additionally, 20 sites launched school composting programs to redirect organic waste into productive use, promoting sustainable agricultural practices aligned with circular food systems principles. Students also learned how to integrate school livestock animals into their waste prevention strategies, using food scraps as animal feed and closing the loop on organic waste in a hands-on, systems-thinking approach. This initiative demonstrates that youth-led action, supported by evidence-based Extension programming, can produce meaningful environmental and community outcomes. By strengthening teen leadership capacity, improving resource stewardship, and creating replicable models for food waste reduction, this program offers a scalable framework applicable to diverse regions and school contexts nationwide. The strategies, tools, and lessons learned from this seven-state collaboration provide a blueprint for Extension professionals seeking to engage youth in addressing one of agriculture's most pressing sustainability challenges.
Authors: Rowe Zwahlen, Josh Dallin
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Rowe Zwahlen Extension Assistant Professor, Utah State University Extension, Utah, 84513
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Josh Dallin USU Bastian Agricultural Center Director, Utah State University Extension, Utah, 84095