Food and Hunger Issues Essay

What if you could change the world? If you had the capability to do so, would you? The truth is we all have the capacity to make a change in this world if given the proper training, education, and resources. One of the most prevalent and devastating problems we face is that of hunger and food waste. According to a study done by the Department of Agriculture, “an estimated 48 million tons of food is wasted at the retail, consumer and food service levels each year” (Lettuce Recycle). The problem is not just here at home. This is a worldwide issue. A study done by the London-based institution of Mechanical Engineers found that “Up to half of all the food produced worldwide ends up going to waste due to poor harvesting, storage and transportation methods, as well irresponsible retailer and consumer behavior” (Reuters). Since most of the food produced by the world goes to waste, some steps should be taken to reduce this problem. Although it may be time consuming and costly, teaching retailers about waste reduction as well as educating families of food waste will go a long way in reducing the problem of food waste in both this country and the world.

            Reducing food waste and raising awareness of the importance of food is not something that can be done overnight. Breaking old habits and instilling values in people is not an easy task, as many people are set in their ways. There are, however, some small steps that can be taken to start making people aware of the food they are wasting and the impact it has on the world around them. In an article by Trevor Stokes, a study was done on College students in New York and the amount of food they wasted. Simple signs were posted saying things such as “All Taste…No Waste” and “Eat What You Take, Don’t Waste Food” (Stokes). According to the study, after the signs were posted, there was a reduction in the amount of food waste. If something as simple as a few signs can change the way people treat food, imagine what would happen if we did more. Grocery retailers would benefit in the long run by implementing and committing to training associates on how to properly handle food. Retailers should also take the time to teach associates how to properly dispose of food and ways in which food scraps may be used for other things.

            Grocery stores are a major contribution to food waste. An article found on Earth911.com detailed the following:

“The average U.S. food store sends to the landfill more than 1,300 pounds of food waste per employee per year, according to a 2006 study looking at waste management practices typical of different industry groups. Supermarkets employed about 2.5 million people in 2008, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics. That means about 3.25 billion pounds of food waste from supermarkets was sent to the landfill in 2008, or the weight of more than 200,000 elephants” (Eath911).

Those are some startling numbers. The worst part of food waste happening at the grocery store is that most of it is done due to laziness or lack of training. I have seen first-hand a whole bag of oranges being thrown out because one has gone bad. This is the type of thing that needs to be addressed. Grocery stores need to step up and start training their employees on proper food handling, storage, and disposal. Grocery stores also must increase the amount of food they donate to those in need. The Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act was signed in October 1996, and this allows grocery stores to donate food and avoid liability (Coles). This should encourage all retailers to donate the food they do not use, but this is not the case. Grocery stores should also try to reduce the amount of food they produce in their fresh departments. These can include fresh cut fruits and vegetables, baked goods, and food prepared on site, such as fried chicken or subs. Much of the products produced in fresh departments (with the exception of bread), are thrown out if not sold. Only when grocery stores begin setting a good example for those around them will the issue of food waste begin to be solved.

            The problem of food waste is also prevalent in the home. “On average, Americans waste 14% of the food they buy, including products still within their expiration date but never opened” (Coles). A study done by UA anthropologist Timothy W. Jones estimated that “the average family of four tosses out $590 per year in meat, fruits, vegetables, and grain products” (Coles). Those numbers add up, and we are all guilty of wasting food in the home. We do not eat leftovers because they do not look good or we are tired of eating the same thing. We cook more than we need. We buy more fresh fruits and vegetables than we will consume before they go bad. These are all habits that need to be broken. If families could be educated on the proper amounts of food to buy and to prepare, as well as how to properly store food, perhaps we could reduce the amount of food that ends up in landfills. Another reason that food waste is so high in the home is lack of knowledge on how long food is good for. Many people do not know the difference between “Sell By” and “Best Before” dates (Coles). If we took the time to educate people on food awareness, the problem of food waste could be greatly reduced.

            Reducing the amount of food we waste is not only good for the planet; it is also good for the economy. With an estimated 48 million tons of food being wasted each year, steps must be made to decrease this number. Through proper training and education, we can change the world, one empty plate (and dumpster) at a time.

                                                                      Works Cited

"Clean your plate, save the world?" Reuters. Issues & Controversies. Facts On File News              Services, 15 Mar. 2012. Web. 12 Mar. 2013.

Marisa McNatt, “Help your Supermarket Cut Food Waste”. Earth 911.  13 Oct. 2011. Web. 12                                             Mar. 2013 

"Simple awareness reduces college food waste." Reuters. Issues & Controversies. Facts On File                                           News Services, 11 Jan. 2013. Web. 12 Mar. 2013.

"Up to half of world's food goes to waste, report says." Reuters. Issues & Controversies. Facts                                                        On File News Services, 10 Jan. 2013. Web. 12 Mar. 2013.