Every night, countless amounts of perfectly good food are being wasted at Safeway stores. As someone who has worked late shifts and witnessed this firsthand, it’s disheartening to see trays of fresh deli items being discarded when there are families struggling to put food on their tables.

Food waste is a significant issue globally, contributing to environmental degradation and food insecurity. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), approximately one-third of the food produced in the world for human consumption every year—about 1.3 billion tons—gets lost or wasted.

In the United States alone, it's estimated that nearly 40% of food is wasted, and supermarkets play a large role in this statistic. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that food waste is the single largest waste stream sent to municipal landfills, contributing to methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas.

Yet, while these environmental and social impacts escalate, viable solutions exist to combat this waste. Safeway can make a change by partnering with local food banks and charities to donate these leftover deli products. Other grocery chains have successfully implemented partnerships to ensure food left unsold doesn't go to waste. For example, some stores donate food to charities, while others sell surplus food at discounted prices shortly before closing.

Safeway has an opportunity to join the fight against food waste. By establishing programs to divert surplus deli food to those in need, Safeway can demonstrate its commitment to community well-being and environmental responsibility.

We urge Safeway to take immediate action to stop throwing away deli food at the end of the night. By signing this petition, you join me in encouraging Safeway to implement responsible food waste practices and become a leader in sustainability. Together, we can make a difference and set an example for other retailers to follow. Please sign this petition and help reduce food waste while supporting those in need.