8. Food Waste

Question 1

Define: Food Loss/Waste

Answer 1

A decrease, measured in mass, at all stages of the food chain from harvest to consumption, of food that was originally intended for human consumption, regardless of the cause

Question 2

What percentage of food is wasted in the US today?

Answer 2

30%-50%

Question 3

What causes food waste in less developed countries?

Answer 3

Most of the wastage occurs before the consumer end of supply chain (from farming through distribution)
Insufficient harvesting, inadequate local transportation, poor infrastructure, produce handled inappropriately, stored under unsuitable conditions

Question 4

What causes food waste in developed countries?

Answer 4

Efficient farming practices, better transport, storage, and processing facilities means major supermarkets, meeting consumer expectations, reject entire crops of edible fruits and vegetables at the farm
Up to 30% of the UKs vegetable crop is never harvested
Customers purchase excessive quantities, perishable foodstuffs, wastage in home

Question 5

Describe the food waste stream

Answer 5