NASHVILLE FOOD WASTE INITIATIVE
The Nashville Food Waste Initiative (NFWI) drives citywide policies and strategies that reduce food waste by preventing wasted food, rescuing surplus food for those in need, and composting and recycling food scraps to build healthy soil. The NFWI was founded by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) in 2015 and is a partnership between Urban Green Lab and the Environmental Law Institute.
Through the NFWI, Urban Green Lab organizes, trains, and connects diverse food waste stakeholders year-round and offers training through our divisions for how you can reduce food waste in your own institution.
Sustainable Food Consumption Efforts
Waste Less - Mural Project
Urban Green Lab, in partnership with NRDC, the Kroger Zero Hunger Zero Waste Foundation, Patagonia, and the TN Arts Commission, is commissioning a series of murals across Nashville to celebrate the beauty of food and encourage the public to waste less.
Kitchens 2 Kitchens
Nashville has a lot of wonderful restaurants, but restaurants can be a large source of food waste. Kitchens 2 Kitchens is a network of Nashville chefs helping other chefs reduce food waste in restaurant kitchens.
Kitchens 2 Kitchens
Nashville has a lot of wonderful restaurants, but restaurants can be a large source of food waste. Kitchens 2 Kitchens is a network of Nashville chefs helping other chefs reduce food waste in restaurant kitchens.
Nashville Earth Day Restaurant Challenge
Leading up to Nashville Earth Day from April 12-20, select Nashville-area restaurants showcased a prix fixe meal or menu special that incorporated elements of sustainability like organically produced, sustainably recovered, or locally sourced ingredients. Participating restaurants included 1 Kitchen Nashville, Butcher and Bee, Miel, Radical Rabbit, Smokin’ Oaks, and the Sunflower Cafe.
Previous Projects
Change Adds Up
We waste too much food. It's not our intention, but it is a truth we all need to face. There are many reasons we let food go to waste. However, there are many small steps that each of us can take to address this issue. By making a few small changes to how you approach food, together, we can all create change that adds up to a better Nashville.
Mayor's Food Saver Challenge
The Nashville Mayor’s Office, Metro Nashville Department of Public Works’ Solid Waste Division, and the Nashville Food Waste Initiative partnered in January 2017 to challenge area restaurants to work to reduce their food waste over a 30-day time frame by taking five steps from a menu of options.
Mayor's Food Saver Challenge
The Nashville Mayor’s Office, Metro Nashville Department of Public Works’ Solid Waste Division, and the Nashville Food Waste Initiative partnered in January 2017 to challenge area restaurants to work to reduce their food waste over a 30-day time frame by taking five steps from a menu of options.
To learn more about the Nashville Food Waste Initiative, contact Stephanie Roach at stephanie@urbangreenlab.org.
Key Successes
Developed citywide food waste policy recommendations for Metro Government
Hosted three food waste challeneges in 2024: Food Waste Prevention Week Coffee Crawl, Earth Week Restaurant Challenge, and Climate Week Cook-Off
Hosted two mural launch parties fostering community engagement and opportunities to educate about food waste and celebrate community art
Compiled and distributed five resource guides with vetted, science-based materials for those looking to educate communities on food waste, with the partnership of Environmental Law Institute
Selected accomplishments since the program started. Updated February 19, 2025.
3
Murals installed around Nashville generating awareness about food waste through community art