Food Waste Prevention Week 2026
From September 28th to October 4th, Tennessee businesses, organizations, schools, and communities will join in on the National Food Waste Prevention Week to raise awareness, inspire action, and reconnect with the value of food.
Explore the ways below that you can get involved in Food Waste Prevention Week.
Attend an Event
Composting Workshop
Join Alter Eco at Full Circle Refillery for a backyard composting workshop. Attend the workshop for a chance to win your own backyard composter and kitchen scrap pail.
Canning for Beginners Workshop
In partnership with Gaining Ground, Crabtree Farms is hosting a free autumn-inspired beginner canning workshop. Learn the basics of canning and take home a delicious jar of apple butter to enjoy over biscuits, toast, oatmeal, etc.
ReHarvest
Attend Clean Memphis' one‑of‑a‑kind culinary experience celebrating food, flavor, and sustainability. Local Project Green Fork Certified chefs will transform surplus ingredients into creative, unforgettable bites while guests enjoy drinks, interactive activities, and the chance to vote for their favorite dish. Don’t miss this delicious way to rethink food waste in Memphis.
Composting Workshop
Join the Master Gardeners of Rutherford County at their Autumn Equinox Workshop, kicking off the day with a backyard composting workshop. Attend the workshop for a chance to win your own backyard composter and kitchen scrap pail.
From Plate to Planet
Join Middle Tennessee State University’s Center for Energy and Sustainability in celebrating Campus Sustainability Month by attending their food‑waste‑themed tabling event. Learn and interact with tables hosted by hosted in collaboration with campus departments and community organizations.
Food Waste Prevention Trivia Night
Urban Green Lab, Get Food Smart TN, and Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee are teaming up with Bongo East + Game Point for a laid-back evening of trivia, community connection, and good company, all in the name of wasting less. Sustainable coffee and beer drink specials will be on hand!
Waste Less Harvest Fest
Join Urban Green Lab in unveiling their 5th Waste Less Mural by local artist Acacia Barron. Dig into a neighborhood chili cook-off judged by local celebrity judges, swap cookbooks at the no-buy tent with the Nashville Public Library, catch a zero-waste cooking demo, and let the kids paint pumpkins. Enjoy live music from rising artist Iris Copperman, browse local food vendors, and bring a donation for our food drive with The Store.
Participate in the Statewide Food Drive
During the 2025 Food Waste Prevention Week, Tennesseans recovered 17,097 pounds of food through the statewide food drive. Take a moment to look through your kitchen cabinets and gather any items your household is unlikely to eat. Use the button below to find a donation location and help prevent food loss in Tennessee through the end of October.
Shop Zero Food Waste Products
Participate in Food Waste Prevention Week by shopping for food waste reduction products at participating Tennessee zero-waste stores.
Full Circle Refillery
Tare Bulk Foods
Sage Refill Market
The Good Fill
Bring Food Waste Prevention Week to Your School
Whether through morning announcements, mini-lessons, coloring pages, activity sheets, or the national poster contest, learn how Tennessee schools can participate in Food Waste Prevention Week with our toolkit for educators. Click the button below to view the toolkit.
Register for Webinars
The National Food Waste Prevention Week hosts a variety of webinars throughout the week. View the available webinars and register by clicking the button below.
National Cooking Challenge
The National Food Waste Prevention Week Cooking Challenge is an open call to share your waste-fighting kitchen victories, promote low-waste cooking, and win cash prizes. Learn more and submit your entry by clicking the button below.
Stay Connected
Stay connected with us on the following platforms for updates on Food Waste Prevention Week 2026.