The following is a brief introduction to the topic:
We throw out food every day that is still edible. An untouched apple from yesterday, leftovers from yesterday, or a loaf of fresh bread that has passed its “best by” date. The items we throw away may seem insignificant or small, but they are actually part of a larger story. Behind every bite is a story about human effort, natural resources and environmental impact.
Here’s the story of what we throw out. We must tell this story and change it because so much of the food we throw away is too delicious to waste.
The Bigger Picture
Nearly a third of the food produced worldwide is wasted, amounting to about 1.3 billion tonnes per year. More than 820 million people go hungry each day. Food that we throw away could feed millions, but it ends up in landfills, where it rots, contributing to global warming.
It’s not just a problem with food. This is a moral, economic, and environmental crisis.
Waste: The Hidden Story
1. From Farm to Table
Before it reaches us, food has to travel a long way:
- Water, fertilizer and hard work are the key ingredients in growing food.
- Fuel and packaging are used to transport goods across distances
- After careful handling, products can be sold in stores or restaurants
When food is wasted, all the resources and effort are wasted.
2. Why We Waste
- At Home: Overbuying, misreading expiration labels or letting food spoil in the refrigerator.
- In the Stores: Aesthetic Standards Lead to the Rejection of “Ugly” But Edible Produce
- At restaurants, Large portions and buffet culture result in uneaten leftovers.
We don’t always appreciate the value of our own food because we didn’t produce it, but that doesn’t mean it is any less valuable.
Environmental Impact
Food waste is not only bad for our conscience, it’s also bad for the environment.
- Greenhouse gasses: Food waste in landfills releases methane. This gas contributes to global climate change.
- Wasted water: The production of waste food consumes billions of gallons of fresh water.
- Deforestation: Forests cleared for food that will never be eaten.
We waste food and natural resources.
What can we do?
Reduce food waste to help the environment.
Everyday Actions
- Shop smart and plan meals before you buy to avoid overspending
- How to store food correctly so that it stays fresher for longer
- Use leftovers in a creative way rather than throwing them away
- Compost scraps for returning nutrients to soil
- Understanding labels such as “use before”, “best before”, and “sell by” dates
Support Bigger Changes:
- Donate excess food to businesses
- Encourage food waste reduction policies
- Donate or participate in food rescue programs
The conclusion of the article is:
Food that we throw out is too valuable to waste. It’s too resource-intensive, and others need it too much. Each wasted bit tells a tale–a tale of what we ignore, forget or overlook.
It’s a story that we can also rewrite.
By appreciating and respecting our food, we can transform wastefulness into wisdom, indifference into awareness, and excesses into equity.
