Food loss and waste education and awareness campaign

(a) In general The Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator, shall initiate a national food waste education and public awareness campaign (referred to in this section as the campaign) through— (1) the Liaison; and (2) the Office of Food Loss and Waste established under section 3. (b) Requirements The campaign shall, at a minimum— (1) illustrate how much food goes to waste in the United States and households across the United States; (2) highlight methods for preserving and storing foods; (3) provide consumers tips to identify whether food is still safe and edible, regardless of any BEST If Used By or the USE By date on the label or food packaging indicating quality and freshness; (4) teach consumers the differences between food freshness and food safety; (5) teach consumers how to compost food scraps; (6) develop educational materials usable by several different channels, including for specific industry sectors (including retail, food service, and consumer packaged goods), local governments, schools, community and faith-based organizations, and other appropriate channels; (7) educate consumers on food products made with food waste, including upcycled food products, or that use innovative technology to prevent food loss and food waste; (8) include interactive elements; and (9) inform about intersectional issues of food loss and food waste, including public health, food insecurity, and climate change. (c) Priorities In carrying out the campaign, the Secretary shall prioritize— (1) initial research to determine a means to segment populations to target; (2) identify, using the means determined under paragraph (1), population segments to target; (3) understanding how to best target those identified population segments; and (4) determining which strategies are most effective in changing consumer behaviors. (d) Dual framework campaign (1) In general The Secretary shall carry out the campaign through— (A) community engagement, which allows information to be delivered through locally trusted sources, with locally tailored solutions and partners (such as for donation or compost options); and (B) national messaging appropriate for raising awareness of— (i) nationally applicable issues (such as the meaning of best by date labels, tips for meal planning, or businesses that manufacture products using ingredients that would otherwise go to waste, including upcycled food products); and (ii) such other issues as the Secretary determines to be appropriate. (2) Pilot projects (A) In general The Secretary shall— (i) for the purpose of testing methods and materials for carrying out the campaign through community engagement under paragraph (1)(A), carry out pilot projects in communities selected by the Secretary; and (ii) assess the results of those pilot projects, including through waste audits or other quantitative measurements. (B) Requirements In carrying out pilot projects under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall— (i) ensure equity and diversity of representation; (ii) incorporate elements of behavioral science to inform which aspects of the campaign will be effective; and (iii) in coordination with State, local, or municipal governments, inform consumers in a community of solutions, food products, or initiatives that are available to help prevent or reduce food waste. (e) Waste audits The Secretary shall conduct audits to gather data relating to the impact of the campaign in communities targeted by the campaign for the purpose of informing future efforts under the campaign, including by comparing outcomes in communities targeted by the campaign to outcomes in communities not targeted by the campaign. (f) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.