Food waste threatens poverty reduction

13/5/15
In its recent report on poverty reduction, the World Bank (WB) has once again raised concerns about food loss and waste worldwide, which are major threats to food security and poverty reduction.
While millions of people across the planet go to bed hungry every night, millions of tonnes of food is being trashed, said WB President Jim Yong Kim.
The report revealed that of all the food produced for human consumption in the world one quarter to one third is lost or wasted.
In developed countries, the total of food lost or wasted is equivalent to 750 to 1,500 calories per person per day. In poorer areas where malnutrition is common, such as Africa and South Asia, the figure is surprisingly high, at about 400 to 500 calories per day being lost or wasted
Consumer habits in wealthy countries drive food wastage with an average family of four in the US and the UK wasting US$1,600 and US$1,100 annually on food purchased but not consumed. In poor countries, food is lost during the stages of production, storage and transport. For example the report claims that 87% of what is wasted in South/Southeast Asia is lost during these stages.
Clearly, in addition to efforts in improving agricultural technologies, it is necessary to change perceptions and behaviours towards food consumption to limit food losses.
 


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All comments [ 10 ]


LawrenceSamuels 13/5/15 20:22

Food waste is one of the most important environmental challenges we currently face. Because of this, the 2013 UN World Environment Day theme was food waste and reducing your foodprint.

yobro yobro 13/5/15 20:23

Reducing your foodprint, like reducing your carbon footprint, is just a part of being a socially and environmentally conscious human.

Socialist Society 13/5/15 20:24

Every year, between 30-40 percent of food is wasted from “farm to fork,” and that number, especially when applied globally, is shocking. This waste starts at the source and is exacerbated in the homes of consumers.

Me Too! 13/5/15 20:25

Finishing meals is important, even if you sometimes bite off more than you can chew. This can be quite an issue, however, when people only shop every other week because they can’t find the time to buy produce more often, and therefore end up eating large quantities of one thing just to get rid of it.

Voice of people 13/5/15 20:27

Reducing food waste is a systematic issue that must be targeted on many fronts by producers, retailers and consumers.

Vietnam Love 13/5/15 20:28

elling grocery stores to encourage consumers to buy food near its expiration rate reduces food waste on the end of the retailer but merely passes it to the consumer. This is an issue that requires attention and widespread effort to be combatted.

For A Peace World 13/5/15 20:29

even the smallest effort towards consciousness and prevention helps.

Red Star 13/5/15 20:30

The individual definitely has a big impact on the issue of food waste

Gentle Moon 13/5/15 20:31

Although it is a global issue, realistic solutions start with the individual. Being conscious is a start. This issue is not only an environmental issue, but a social issue.

John Smith 13/5/15 20:33

make an effort to not pour that half-gallon of milk down the sink, because it’s not only irresponsible for the environment but also for your wallet and your conscience.

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