reduced food waste and loss

• Strategies to reduce food waste and loss:
• Individually:

  • Plan your weekly shop
  • Reduce portion sizes
  • Buy weirdly shaped fruit and vegetables
  • Store food correctly
  • Keep the fridge clutter free
  • Treat expiration and sell-by dates as guidelines
  • Compost waste for reuse in the garden
• Nationally/internationally:

  • In LICs, food loss occurs after harvesting due to poor pest control, lack of storage facilities, poor refrigeration access, cold chain storage, and bad marketing
  • Investment in these areas can solve these problems, allowing more food to reach consumers and increase GDP for these countries
• Key facts:
• The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) estimated that 32% of all food produced in the world was lost or wasted in 2009
• Starting a compost from scratch can cost anywhere from $50 - $700
• Globally, around 13% of food produced is lost between harvest and retail, while an estimated 17% of total global food production is wasted in households, food service, and retail combined
• Examples of companies that reduce food waste:
• Oddbox:

  • Subscription-based grocery box service delivering fresh, locally sourced produce in the UK
  • Committed to reducing food waste and supporting small farmers and local communities
  • Customers can choose delivery size and frequency, including items deemed "too big" or "too wonky"
• Rubies in the Rubble:

  • Creates jams, sauces, and chutneys using rescued produce
  • Sources produce from local markets, farms, and suppliers
  • Partners with charities and food banks to donate products to those in need
• Benefits of reducing food waste and loss:
• More food is eaten by consumers, preventing waste of resources used in production

  • Improving food systems helps feed more people without expanding crop areas, preventing deforestation and carbon dioxide release
  • Food waste contributes to climate change by producing methane in landfills
  • People can save money by reducing food waste
  • Reducing waste saves space in landfills by keeping useful materials out