Why Is So Much Food Going to Waste?
By Jasmine Clark, Live Well Enhance You Contributing Writer
Did you know that one third of all food is wasted?
Let me say that again. Approximately 33% of all the food in the world that could be eaten ends up getting thrown away instead! If you think that’s a crazy high number, you’re right. But if you think this is a solvable problem, thankfully you’re right about that too.
Food waste facts
Stop Food Waste Day, which falls on April 27th this year, was created in 2017 to bring awareness to the food waste issue. Many people are unaware that food waste has a major negative impact on the world, from individual households to the entire world’s climate.
Though one third of food is wasted worldwide, in the US the number is estimated to be as high as 40%. This affects American families financially, with the average family of four losing $1,500 because of food waste. Most food waste in the US happens in the home (43%), but restaurants, grocery stores, farms, and processing facilities all play a role.
Food waste also contributes to climate change. When food is thrown into landfills instead of composted, it breaks down and releases methane, a greenhouse gas that’s even more harmful than carbon dioxide. In addition, food waste is one of the biggest causes of freshwater pollution. Another issue to consider is the land and energy usage being put toward producing food that goes uneaten.
Solutions for stopping food waste
Spread awareness - A large reason this problem persists is because people don’t know how big the problem is. They throw away small amounts of food here and there, not realizing how much it adds up. Tell your family, friends, and social media followers that one third of food in the world is wasted!
Buy imperfect fruits and vegetables - Just like we humans are judged for our physical imperfections, so are fruits and vegetables (it’s kind of sad, right?). If their color isn’t the brightest or they have a blemish or two, many people don’t want to buy them. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t good to eat. Consider buying these less-than-perfect looking foods.
Eat “expired” food - According to the FDA, some foods have a “Best If Used By” label, and though that may seem like an expiration date, it actually isn't. If a food label says it’s “best” used by a certain date, that means it’s still safe to eat it after the date. That doesn’t mean you can keep food forever, but instead of automatically throwing away out-of-date food, examine it closely and see if it’s changed in “color, consistency, or texture.”
Make the most of leftovers - One reason food waste occurs is that people aren’t sure what to do with seemingly unusable leftovers. But the official Stop Food Waste Day website has a free digital cookbook full of delicious world recipes that are designed to make use of leftovers you might normally throw away.
Compost uneaten food - Composting is an effective way to protect the environment and the climate. Putting food into landfills creates more greenhouse gases, but composting allows the food to break down safely. Try composting food at home or taking it to a drop-off composting location in your area.
Donate to the hungry - Even though large amounts of food are wasted each day, there are still plenty of people who starve because they don’t have enough food to survive. If you think that’s completely messed up, you are right yet again. Learn more about the hunger problem and how you can help.
Food waste is a solvable problem, and you can do something about it. Next time you’re about to throw food away, see if you can save it for later. You’ll feel good knowing you’re taking steps to save food, save money, and help save the earth.
Jasmine Clark is a freelance writer from North Carolina. She enjoys writing about topics such as stress relief and positive thinking. She likes to encourage others to find ways to calm down and relax. In her spare time, she loves to write fiction stories and watch TV and YouTube. You can find her on Instagram @cozysachi.