We waste a shocking amount of food, throwing away as much as six full meals a week.
And unfortunately, only a few of us recognize it.
Data from the United Kingdom suggests that each of us throws away on average 110 kg of food a year. While the data may originate in the U.K., it is unlikely we here in Canada are doing any better.
A new documentary called Just Eat It points out some unpleasant truths about what we eat, don’t eat and throw away. The video is currently available for free streaming from the Knowledge Network at www.knowledge.ca/
program/just-eat-it. It’s great for family viewing and for anyone who doubts the extent of the problem.
Each year, millions of tons of food and drink are thrown away. In fact, 19 per cent of the food we buy is wasted. That translates to the equivalent of six meals a week (U.K. data) or about $120 a month for each family (yes, that adds up to $1,400 or maybe three car payments). Among the worst are everyday essentials like bread, potatoes and milk.
The types of food most wasted are fruit and vegetables (27 per cent), bakery (11 per cent), drinks (17 per cent) and meat (seven per cent). But how could this be? Or why do we do it? There are two main reasons: we cook or prepare too much, or we don’t use it in time.
We waste our own money along with the food we toss in the garbage bin, but there are much larger costs as well. Consider what went into producing that loaf of bread, half of which went to waste. You are not only wasting the food, but also the resources such as energy, fuel, time and water that went into growing, harvesting, storing, transporting and cooking the food.
Let’s say you have been more careful to buy less food and you store it properly, but there may still be food you are throwing away. After all, you can’t eat eggshells or gristle. The best solution is composting. Composting generates nutrient-rich material to feed your garden, a nice cycle to your food, isn’t it?
Composting is far superior to throwing food into the garbage. When waste is sent to landfill, air cannot get to the organic waste so that as the waste breaks down it creates methane, a harmful greenhouse gas, which damages the atmosphere. Above-ground composting lets oxygen get in to help waste to decompose aerobically — hardly any methane is produced.
To learn more about food waste and how to reduce your own contribution, visit the Love Food, Hate Waste website at www.lovefoodhatewaste.com
Plan ahead and buy what you need. Store it correctly. Cook the right amount. Eat or store leftovers for later. Recycle what you can’t eat. In other words: Waste less. Save money.
