The United States Environmental Protection Agency defines food waste for the United States as `` Uneaten food and food preparation wastes from residences and ( shops ) such as grocery stores , restaurants , and produce stands , institutional cafeterias and kitchens , and industrial sources like employee lunchrooms '' . The United States Environmental Protection Agency defines food waste for the United States as being : `` Uneaten food and food preparation wastes from residences and commercial establishments such as grocery stores , restaurants , and produce stands , institutional cafeterias and kitchens , and industrial sources like employee lunchrooms '' .