Washington celebrates Food Waste Prevention Week Sept. 28 – Oct. 4

Washington communities are taking action to keep food out of landfills and support a healthier, more resilient food system.

Beginning Sept. 28, Tribes, community groups, local governments, food access organizations, colleges, farmers markets, and nonprofits across Washington will host events to help residents learn practical strategies for reducing food waste at home, work, and in their communities. Activities range from cooking demos and food storage workshops to gleaning field days, children's story hours, partner spotlights, and virtual webinars. Find a list of local events below.

Food Waste Prevention Week highlights community powered solutions that keep food in use, support local farms, and reduce climate pollution, while helping families save money.

Media are invited to attend local events and connect with partners advancing food waste reduction and community food resilience across the state. Learn more about the statewide food waste reduction campaign at UseFoodWell.org.

Food waste is one of the largest contributors to landfill volume and climate pollution in Washington. Families lose hundreds of dollars each year to discarded food, and the resources used to grow, transport and store food are wasted along with it. Preventing wasted food is one of the most effective actions people can take at home to reduce climate impacts, strengthen food security, and stretch their grocery budgets.

Food Waste Prevention Week 2026 Announcement

When:
Monday, Sept. 28 - Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026
Local events occur throughout the week; statewide highlights are listed below.

Where:
Events across Washington, including Bellingham, Renton, Tukwila, Carnation, Spokane County, Pierce County (virtual), and more.

Who:
Food Waste Prevention Week partners statewide, including community organizations, Tribes, local governments, Extension offices, farmers markets, food system nonprofits, and businesses.

What: Statewide activities during Food Waste Prevention Week include trivia nights, cooking demonstrations, food saving classes, gleaning field days, farmers market education booths, family story time events, virtual workshops, and social media partner highlights.

Media:
Reporters are encouraged to attend events or contact Ecology for interviews with participating partners. More information on food waste prevention week can be found at www.foodwastepreventionweek.com.

Contact:
Dave Bennett, Ecology communications: 360-791-9830, [email protected]

Statewide event highlights

Bellingham

Event: Food Waste Trivia Night
Host: Sustainable Connections
Contact: Chelsea Hilmoe, [email protected]
Date/Time: Sept. 28, 7 p.m.
Location: Ono Kitchen & Bar, 210 E. Chestnut St., Bellingham
Link:https://sustainableconnections.org/events/food-waste-prevention-week-trivia/

Tukwila

Event: How to Reduce Wasted Food & Save Money
Host: City of Tukwila
Contact: Colleen Minion, [email protected]
Date/Time: Sept. 29, 6-8 p.m.
Location: Tukwila Community Center, 12424 42nd Ave. S., Tukwila
Registration:https://www.tukwilawa.gov/event/reduce-wasted-food-workshop/

Renton

Event: Food Waste Prevention at the Renton Farmers Market
Host: City of Renton Sustainability/Solid Waste
Contact: Julie Pursell, [email protected]
Date/Time: Sept. 29, 4-5 p.m.
Location: 253 Burnett Ave. S., Renton
Link:https://www.rentonfarmersmarket.com

Pierce County (Virtual)

Event: No Scrap Left Behind
Host: Pierce County Planning & Public Works
Contact: Mary Coleman, [email protected]
Date/Time: Sept. 30, 7-8 p.m.
Location: Zoom (virtual)
Link:www.piercecountywa.gov/EarthMattersSeries

Carnation

Event: Gather & Glean: A Field Day for Hunger Relief
Host: Harvest Against Hunger
Contact: Olivia, [email protected]
Date/Time: Sept. 30, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Location: Oxbow Farms, 10819 Carnation Duvall Rd NE, Carnation
Flyer:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vDDl2viw982X5CdR099oDYC27OnYOUSD/view

Spokane

Fairwood Farmers Market
Event: Tabling & Food Waste Reduction Activities
Host: Spokane County Regional Solid Waste System
Contact: Jill Reeves, [email protected]
Date/Time: Sept. 29
Location: Fairwood Farmers Market, Spokane
Link:https://www.fairwoodfarmersmarket.org/calendar/2026/9/29/fairwood-farmers-market-21

Fall Fest
Event: Fall Fest Food Waste Education Booth
Host: Spokane County Regional Solid Waste System
Contact: Jill Reeves, [email protected]
Date/Time: Oct. 3
Location: Riverfront Park, Spokane
Link:https://my.spokanecity.org/riverfrontspokane/calendar/2026/10/03/wsecu-fall-fest/

(Virtual) National Food Waste Prevention Week Webinar and City of Spokane Highlight Video
Event: Food Waste Prevention Week Partner Highlight Video
Host: Spokane County Regional Solid Waste System
Contact: Jill Reeves, [email protected]
Date: Sept. 28 - Oct. 4
Location: Online
Registration:Zoom
Video:https://vimeo.com/1226061579/c2b0f084f1

Event: Food Rescue by the Truckload
Hosts: Second Harvest Inland Northwest & Move for Hunger
Contact: Eric Williams, [email protected]
Date/Time: Sept. 30, 1 p.m.
Location: Virtual webinar
Registration:https://foodwastepreventionweek.com/webinars/