Food waste expert, educator, & storyteller

My name is Haley Everitt (she/her) and I am a food waste expert, educator, and storyteller.

I was a master’s student when I conducted my first waste audit. There I was, elbow deep in a bag of trash separating containers, paper, and food, when I found an unopened container of cinnamon buns. My jaw dropped.

I checked the best before date. It had not yet passed.

I ripped open the plastic packaging and inspected the buns for mold. For a moment the smell of cinnamon and cream cheese frosting filled the room before the smell of decomposing organic matter returned. No mold.

I wondered why someone would throw away an unopened package of food.

This experience has and continues to lead me to pursue opportunities where I can use my research talents, outreach and education expertise, and storytelling skills to make a positive impact towards climate change mitigation and sustainable waste management.