When I began researching food waste, I knew that it was an issue; however, I did not realize the enormity of the problem. Almost 40% of food planted in North America is thrown away and never gets eaten. On the food’s journey from farm to table, it is wasted every single step of the way. For example, it is wasted before it is even harvested. Farmers do not even bother harvesting some foods like fruits and vegetables if they know that the size or shape of that certain food will not be purchased by grocery stores. It is also wasted in households. Many people throw out food every single day because they bought in bulk and can no longer eat the majority of that food, or the current date is later than the “best by” date so they throw away the food even if it is good.
While I am researching I hope to find out not only why food gets wasted but how I personally, and how everyone can contribute to minimizing food waste. There is no reason that this much food should get thrown away every day and I want to determine how to limit it as much as possible. However, it has been difficult to find how it is possible to limit food waste in certain aspects because it is inevitable sometimes. Perhaps food that would have been thrown out could be rerouted to food banks. How do you think that food waste could be minimized? It it the government's job, or the job of individuals to cut down on the amount of food wasted in this country?
Lizzie, I think the whole idea of preventing food waste is very difficult to research because it often seems more like a suggestion than an actual fact. To me, the main reason why we waste so much food based on their appearance is because many farmers and companies are ready to jump in and produce the same thing. The competition forces companies to constantly perfect their food, so the ones that aren't as perfect get tossed aside. I think it would be hard to see a big change. People themselves could try to buy less and save different parts to cook a different meal. Restaurants can incorporate food that don't look perfect into their dishes. But in order for a large scale change to take place, the government would probably have to step in which is something most people don't want. They can tax companies that are wasting perfectly good food, promote minimizing food waste, or they can establish agencies to distribute foods to food banks or others in need of it.
ReplyDeleteFood waste is a problem, considering there are countries that have a lack of food. I believe that it is both the government's and the people's responsibility to reduce food waste. I believe that a program or an act should be placed saying that the food that are not going to be sold to grocery stores, should be given to countries in need. That can be a way to end wasting food and world hunger.
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize the economy was a big deal or impact either. But it does make more sense if you put food waste in the topic.
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