FOOD WASTE An estimated 17% of total global food production is wasted (11% in households, 5% in the food service and 2% in retail). In other words: it goes bad before a person can eat it, then gets tossed into the garbage.
FOOD SECURITY Meanwhile, 34 million people in the United states - 9 million of them children - experience food insecurity. This means they are living with a “lack of consistent access to enough food for every person in a household to live an active, healthy life”. Learn more about food insecurity and its effects on a national and local scale by visiting Feeding America.
Together we can redirect the everyday bounty of available produce from Maine’s fields, support our local growers, and nourish our communities.
Setting the Scene: Food Waste & Food Security
FOOD LOSS Globally, around 14% of food produced is lost between harvest and retail (meaning, it never even makes it to your table). This could be due to market competition, cosmetic imperfections, labor shortages, etc.
"Food loss and waste undermine the sustainability of our food systems. When food is loss or wasted, all the resources that were used to produce this food - including water, land, energy, labour and capital - go to waste. In addition, the disposal of food loss and waste in landfills, leads to greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to climate change. Food loss and waste can also negatively impact food security and food availability, and contribute to increasing the cost of food."
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations