According to the National Zero Waste Council, consumers are responsible for the largest share of food waste, approximately 47% of total food waste. The remaining food waste is created along the food supply chain, where food is grown, processed, transported and sold (retail, restaurants, hotels and more).
Some food waste, such as fruit and vegetable peels and cores, bones, eggshells, tea bags and coffee grounds cannot be avoided. However, a lot of the food we throw away is truly “wasted food” that could have been eaten by making some simple meal planning and shopping changes. Reducing food waste at home can be relatively easy, help you get more out of your food and save you money. We often waste good food because we buy too much, don’t plan our meals, or don’t store our food properly. It’s estimated that avoidable food waste costs the average Canadian household from $600-$1,100 per year. Food waste is a significant issue across Canada.
*Permission granted from Middlesex-London Food Policy Council Nov. 2, 2021.