Food Waste: It’s More Than What’s Left on Your Plate

Rooted & Restless with Marianne Smith Edge · Sep 17, 2026 · 38m

In this episode of Rooted & Restless, Marianne Smith Edge talks with Brenna Ellison about the reasons good food goes unused—and why understanding food waste requires looking beyond the kitchen. They explore food waste across the food system, from on-farm surplus crops and harvesting challenges to cosmetic standards in retail, and confusing date labels.

Brenna, also, discusses the efforts of schools, food banks and communities redirecting food that might otherwise be wasted. The conversation includes practical ways to conserve food, from tracking waste and preserving food to using food before…