The University of Illinois is coordinating a statewide survey to learn food waste at home and to guide efforts that support cost savings, stronger communities, and a healthier environment.

This 10-minute survey is open to Illinois adults who are regularly involved in household food shopping, cooking, meal planning, or kitchen cleanup. 

From farm to table to trash can, what happens to food is bigger than leftovers. Producing food uses valuable resources like water and fuel, and when uneaten food ends up in landfills, that contributes to financial losses, social inequity, and environmental harm. Illinois households can be part of the food waste solution by taking a short survey about meal planning, grocery shopping, cooking, and what happens to food at home.

Research shows that one-third of the U.S. food supply was not purchased or eaten in 2023. Some of that surplus food is donated or recycled, but most becomes food waste that is thrown out. 

University of Illinois Extension Environmental Quality Specialist Ashley Belle said that in 2024, 436,500 tons of food waste from Illinois homes ended up in landfills, where the organic material produced a substantial amount of the greenhouse gas methane. At the same time, one in eight people in Illinois face hunger.

“When it comes to reducing food waste, everyone can help,” said Belle. “With this survey, we hope to get a better understanding of food use at home to then create local programs that support cost savings, stronger communities, and a healthier environment.”

Participants are invited to share what works well for their household and what is challenging in the short online survey. Responses will help guide local food waste prevention education provided by Illinois Extension. 

The survey is part of a multi-state research initiative led by Ohio State University and is provided in partnership with the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center, a division of the Prairie Research Institute. 

For questions or reasonable accommodations to participate, contact Ashley Belle at abelle@illinois.edu or 217-300-6867. 

The Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign provides scientific expertise and transformative research to the people of Illinois and beyond. PRI is home to the five state scientific surveys: the Illinois Natural History Survey, Illinois State Archaeological Survey, Illinois State Geological Survey, Illinois State Water Survey, and Illinois Sustainable Technology Center.