Food waste is a growing problem in the United States, and some states are doing far worse than others. A recent study by the top-ranked U.S. culinary school, Escoffier, analyzed waste from households, restaurants, and grocery stores across all 50 states. It also examined the efforts states are making to address the issue, including initiatives such as composting and food banks. The results were combined into a “wastefulness score,” where 100 represents the worst performance in the country. The findings reveal that in some areas, the amount of food discarded is staggering.
Food waste is a major issue nationwide. According to the USDA, between 30% and 40% of the U.S. food supply is wasted. That’s roughly 133 billion pounds of food valued at $161 billion, based on the most recent comprehensive data available.
Here’s a look at the ten most wasteful states and what’s behind their numbers.
Arizona
Arizona tops the list as the most wasteful state in America, scoring a perfect 100.00. The average person wastes approximately 1,025 pounds of food each year, and the typical household discards around 8 cups of food per week. Restaurants add another 115 pounds per person, and grocery stores contribute 70 pounds.
Known for its vibrant Southwestern cuisine, Arizona’s food culture is rich, but the lack of composting facilities and only seven food banks for over 7 million residents leaves little infrastructure to deal with the waste problem.
Maryland
Maryland comes in second with a score of 87.89. The state has the highest grocery store waste in the country, at 148 pounds per person, more than double the amount in Arizona. Households also toss nearly 10 cups of food weekly, ranking among the top for household waste.
This is despite Maryland being famous for its blue crabs, crab cakes, and Old Bay–seasoned seafood, which are central to local identity but clearly not enough to offset the broader waste challenge.
Arkansas
Arkansas ranks third with a score of 81.06. Its households waste over 10 cups of food every week, the highest in the nation. Grocery stores generate 91 pounds of waste per person, and the state has only one composting facility and four food banks.
Known for Southern staples like fried catfish, cornbread, and BBQ, Arkansas has a rich food tradition, yet much of it never makes it to the table.
Kentucky
Kentucky takes the fourth spot at 79.14. The average household here discards over 8 cups of food each week. Restaurants waste around 132 pounds per person, while grocery stores waste more than 102 pounds.
The state is best known for Kentucky Fried Chicken, bourbon, and classic Southern comfort foods; however, the data show that significant amounts of food from both homes and businesses are still being sent to the landfill.
Illinois
From Chicago deep-dish pizza to Italian beef sandwiches, Illinois is home to some of America’s most beloved eats, but behind the scenes, food waste remains a major issue.
Illinois earns a score of 78.60 and has some of the highest retail-level food waste in the U.S., with 146 pounds from restaurants and 120 pounds from grocery stores per person. The state stands out for having better infrastructure than many others on the list, with 21 composting centers.
Alabama
Alabama comes in sixth with a score of 74.41. Known for Gulf Coast seafood, fried green tomatoes, and slow-cooked barbecue, Alabama’s food scene is iconic, but waste levels show there’s room for improvement. Residents waste 8.1 cups weekly, with restaurants generating 132.2 pounds and grocery stores adding 97.4 pounds per person.
The state has no composting facilities and only four food banks, leaving few recovery solutions.
Tennessee
Tennessee ranks seventh at 73.92. Households discard nearly 9 cups of food per week, with restaurant waste at 137 pounds per person and grocery store waste exceeding 100 pounds per person. The state has just two composting facilities and six food banks for more than 7 million people.
Famous for Memphis BBQ, Nashville hot chicken, and Southern pies, Tennessee has a strong culinary identity, yet much of that food is still going to waste.
Mississippi
From fried catfish to hush puppies and pecan pie, Mississippi’s dining culture is rich, but food waste is a growing concern that outpaces available recovery resources.
Mississippi takes eighth place with a score of 71.39. Restaurant waste averages 139 pounds per person, surpassing the rates in Arkansas and Alabama, and grocery store waste contributes an additional 107 pounds. The state has only three composting centers and two food banks to deal with its surplus food.
Georgia
Georgia ranks ninth at 68.56. Households waste more than 8 cups weekly, restaurants contribute 144 pounds per person, and grocery stores waste about 148 pounds, one of the highest rates in the nation. Georgia has only one composting facility and eight food banks.
Known for peaches, pecan pie, and Southern classics like shrimp and grits, Georgia’s food culture is deeply rooted, but the numbers show much of that bounty isn’t being used efficiently.
Nevada
Nevada rounds out the top ten with a score of 67.40. It has the highest restaurant waste in the group at nearly 148 pounds per person. Households throw out just over 8 cups weekly, and grocery stores add 96 pounds per person. While Nevada is famous for its buffet culture in Las Vegas and hearty Basque cuisine in the north, the state has no composting sites and only two food banks to manage the waste levels.
Food waste doesn’t just cost money; it impacts the environment and food security. For a deeper look at the data and how other states compare, you can read the full Escoffier report.
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