Six things people get wrong about food waste

Food waste is one of those subjects where the common wisdom is mostly wrong. Six things people say, set against the published research.

First, that it is scraps. 8.8 million tonnes of edible food is wasted in Canada every year (Second Harvest and Value Chain Management International, 2024). Second, that it is a kitchen problem: the National Zero Waste Council reports that much of what households throw out could have been eaten. Third, that it is cheap. Second Harvest and Value Chain Management International estimate that the edible share carries a large economic cost every year.

Fourth, that it is a climate footnote: the UN Environment Programme reports that food loss and waste is a significant source of global greenhouse gas emissions. Fifth, that farms are efficient: an estimated 13% of the fruits and vegetables grown in Canada go unharvested or are discarded after harvest, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada. Sixth, that there is not enough.

There is enough food.