DEQ Food Systems Overview

Why food?

Food is one of the most impactful materials in our lives, and one of our greatest opportunities for reducing environmental impacts. From farm to fork to landfill, food production and consumption demand significant land, water, and energy. When it's wasted, all of those resources go to waste as well.

According to Oregon DEQ's 2021 Consumption-Based Emissions Inventory, food is the second-largest contributor to Oregon's greenhouse gas emissions. Correspondingly, food waste is the largest single category of material in Oregon's landfills. Nearly 40% of food in the U.S. is never eaten, even as more than 460,000 Oregonians face food insecurity. This imbalance underscores the need for systemic solutions that support more sustainable and equitable food systems.

By focusing on food, we have a unique opportunity to reduce environmental impacts while improving health, equity, and community resilience. In alignment with Oregon's 2050 Vision, this work supports a future where all Oregonians conserve resources, protect the environment, and live well.

Annual resources used to grow food

Land: Over 140 million acres of agricultural land, an area the size of California and New York state combined.

Energy: 664 terawatt-hours of energy, enough to power over 50 million U.S. homes for a year.

Water: 5.9 trillion gallons of fresh water, equivalent to the water use of well over a third of all U.S. households.

Fertilizer: 14 billion pounds of fertilizers, which the EPA estimates is enough to grow all of the fruits, vegetables and grains grwon and consumed in America each year.

land, water, energy and ferilizer images

Operating principles

Our work in Oregon's food system is grounded in a set of core operating principles that reflect our 2050 Vision and guide our efforts to reduce the environmental, social, and economic impacts of food. These principles shape both our strategies and our partnerships as we move toward more sustainable, equitable, and resilient food systems.

Wellbeing: Food is essential to human health and identity. It nourishes us, connects us to culture and tradition, and plays a central role in our daily lives.
Equity: We aim to address disparities by focusing on how the benefits and burdens of food systems are shared, ensuring more equitable outcomes across Oregon communities.
Inclusion: Including a diverse range of voices leads to better decisions. We seek out perspectives we haven't historically engaged with and support community-led solutions that reflect local needs and values.
Partnerships: The complexity of the food system calls for collaboration. We co-lead, convene, or support efforts across the state, working together with partners to co-create meaningful, effective solutions.

How we do the work

The Food Systems team takes a values-driven, collaborative approach to reducing the environmental and social impacts of food. Guided by Oregon's 2050 Vision and shaped through conversations with partners across the state, our work is grounded in the following practices:

Data-driven and research-based: We rely on lifecycle data and science to guide decisions.
Innovative and open to new ideas: We seek out creative solutions, emerging technologies, and fresh perspectives.
Collaborative by design: Our strategies are built through transparent, inclusive processes that engage partners early and often.
Relationship-oriented: We foster connections across Oregon's food system by sharing knowledge, facilitating dialogue, and supporting communities of practice.
Community-centered: We aim to empower local leaders—especially in underserved communities—with the tools, resources, and support they need to make informed decisions about food systems in their own regions.

Contact

Get your questions answered! Please contact sustainablefoodsystems@deq.oregon.gov