Every year, approximately one-third of the food produced for human consumption is wasted, amounting to around 1.3 billion tons. Meanwhile, nearly 828 million people worldwide suffer from hunger. This contradiction is a glaring injustice that we have the power to change. By reducing food waste, we can redirect resources to those in need and take a significant step toward ending world hunger.
Reasons for Concern
- Hunger and Food Insecurity: Millions of people go to bed hungry every night, while perfectly edible food is discarded in homes, supermarkets, and restaurants. Reducing food waste can provide vital resources to those struggling with food insecurity.
- Environmental Impact: Wasted food contributes to environmental degradation. The resources used to produce, transport, and store this food—including water, energy, and labor—are squandered, leading to unnecessary carbon emissions and environmental strain.
- Economic Losses: Food waste represents a significant economic loss for producers, retailers, and consumers alike. By addressing food waste, we can reduce these losses and create a more efficient and equitable food system.
- Moral Responsibility: As global citizens, we have a moral obligation to ensure that food, a basic human right, is accessible to all. Reducing food waste is a practical and ethical approach to addressing hunger on a global scale.
Our Demand
We, the undersigned, call on:
- Government Leaders to implement policies and incentives that reduce food waste at every stage of the food supply chain, from production to consumption.
- The Food Industry to adopt sustainable practices, including better inventory management, food donation programs, and public awareness campaigns about food waste.
- Agricultural Producers to implement methods that minimize post-harvest losses and encourage the use of surplus food to feed those in need.
- Consumers to commit to reducing food waste in their homes by planning meals carefully, using leftovers, and supporting local food recovery initiatives.
Together, we can create a future where food is respected, resources are conserved, and no one goes hungry. Let’s take action now to make this vision a reality. Ask your local retailers about food waste and boycott the retailers that do not meet our demands.