Every Thanksgiving, kitchens across America transform into command centers of gratitude. But while we’re piling our plates with turkey and mashed potatoes, something else is piling up too: food waste.
And this year, the numbers are big enough to make even Hunger Halter drop his fork.
According to a new analysis from ReFED, Americans are expected to waste 320 million pounds of food this Thanksgiving. That’s $550 million worth of perfectly good food, gone in just one day. It’s also the equivalent of 267 million meals that could have supported families facing hunger.
If you’re thinking, Whoa… that’s a supervillain-level problem, you’re right. But just like any good story, there’s a twist: we have the power to change it.
Why So Much Waste?
ReFED and NielsenIQ found that 90% of Thanksgiving hosts intentionally make more food than needed, and 100%(!) say they end up with leftovers. Leftovers are part of the tradition, we get it! Turkey sandwiches, stuffing waffles, soups, casseroles… yum.
The issue?
12% of hosts don’t plan for their leftovers at all, and nearly half aren’t concerned about food waste. That means millions of pounds of food are headed straight to the trash instead of fueling families or protecting our planet.
The Impact: On Our Wallets, Our Communities, and Our Planet
A few hard truths:
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Frozen turkey prices are up 40% this year, which means wasting turkey = wasting money.
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40% of all Thanksgiving waste is turkey alone.
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Tossed Thanksgiving food creates 811,726 metric tons of CO₂ equivalent, as much as 190,000 gas-powered cars driving for a year.
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Landfilled food releases 4,800 metric tons of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas.
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Producing the food we waste will use 39 billion gallons of water, enough to fill 59,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Food waste is one of the biggest drivers of climate change and one of the biggest opportunities for everyday heroes to take action.
So… What Would a Hunger Action Hero Do?
Glad you asked. Here are four simple, powerful ways to turn your Thanksgiving into a mission for good:
1. Leftovers = Power-Ups
Make a plan before the big meal:
- Set out take-home containers
- Prep ingredients for leftover recipes
- Clear room in the freezer for the “final boss level” of leftovers
2. Adopt Money-Saving, Waste-Stopping Habits
Survey data shows people are fighting rising food prices by:
- Using leftovers more often
- Eating fresh foods before they spoil
- Buying frozen foods to portion better
These habits aren’t just smart, they’re heroic.
3. Support Your Local Hunger Relief & Food Rescue Organizations
Food banks can’t take cooked leftovers, but they can take:
- Shelf-stable ingredients
- Unopened packaged foods
- Financial gifts to help families facing hunger this holiday season
4. Keep Food Out of the Landfill
If waste happens (and it will!), try:
- Community compost sites
- Municipal green bins
- Backyard composting
Every pound diverted is a victory for people and the planet.
The Big Lesson
Thanksgiving should be full of gratitude, not waste. When we plan our meals, protect our leftovers, and support families in need, we prove what Hunger Action Heroes already know:
Small actions can defeat big problems, especially when we act together.
Want to help students become everyday food rescue heroes? Shop our comic book and curriculum collection to empower kids to fight hunger and save the planet all year long.
