AHLA Becomes Latest Signatory in Effort to Reduce Food Waste

The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) has joined the U.S. Food Waste Pact, a collaborative initiative to reduce food waste across the food system.

The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) has announced its participation in the U.S. Food Waste Pact. This initiative, led by ReFED and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), aims to reduce food waste across the food system. AHLA is the latest organization to join this voluntary agreement, bringing the total to 30 businesses and associations.

The U.S. Food Waste Pact employs a “Target, Measure, Act” framework to encourage collaboration and action among its members. According to ReFED, approximately 29% of food produced in the United States is not consumed or sold, with most of it ending up in landfills, incinerators, or sewer systems. The foodservice sector, which includes lodging, contributes 12.5 million tons to this surplus. Specifically, the lodging subsector accounts for nearly 10% of this surplus, equivalent to two billion meals and valued at $17 billion.

AHLA’s involvement in the Pact aligns with its ongoing efforts to address sustainability within the hotel industry. The association has previously launched initiatives, such as the Hotel Kitchen program, in partnership with WWF, to provide educational resources on food waste reduction. This program has demonstrated significant reductions in food waste, with participating hotels achieving up to a 38% decrease in just 12 weeks.

The organization has also supported federal legislation to reduce food waste, including the Good Samaritan Food Donation Act, the Food Date Labeling Act, and the Zero Food Waste Act.

AHLA joins a range of other signatories in the U.S. Food Waste Pact, including major retailers, food manufacturers, trade associations, and foodservice companies. These signatories include Albertsons Companies, Ahold Delhaize USA, ALDI US, Amazon Fresh, Kroger, New Seasons Market, Raley’s, Sprouts Farmers Market, Walmart Inc., and Whole Foods Market. Other participants include manufacturers like Bob’s Red Mill, Del Monte Fresh Produce Company, and Lamb Weston, Inc., as well as foodservice providers such as Aramark, Compass Group USA, ISS Guckenheimer, and Sodexo USA.

The addition of AHLA to the Pact is expected to strengthen collective efforts to reduce food waste and promote sustainability practices across the hospitality industry.