The Avoidable Crisis of Food Waste

58%

Of all food in Canada annually is lost or wasted

32%

Of this food could be redirected to support Canadians

56.5 million

Tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions created annually

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The Avoidable Crisis of Food Waste

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This research is a world first and shows we need to radically change how we value food

Nearly 60% of food produced for Canadians – or 35.5 million tonnes – is lost and wasted annually.*

32% or 11.2 million tonnes of that food is edible and could be redirected to support people in our communities.

The total financial value of this potentially rescuable lost and wasted food is a staggering $49.46 billion.

These unprecedented findings are the result of a year-long research project undertaken by Second Harvest and Value Chain Management International, a leading public and industry voice in food waste.

The Avoidable Crisis of Food Waste: The Roadmap

A solution focused 30-page report

The Avoidable Crisis of Food Waste: The Technical Report

An in-depth 122-page technical report

The Avoidable Crisis of Food Waste: Supplementary Material

Case study matrix

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The current system makes it too easy to blame other departments or cite excuses for why change should not occur. The common mantra is: ‘We have industry average shrink so there’s not a problem and no need to change

Food retailer

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The average consumer is not aware of the staggering and depressing extent of food loss and waste.

Food retailer

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We live in an environment where food is cheap and plentiful, and few people have experienced hunger or food insecurity. Therefore, societal attitudes do not support avoiding food waste.

Survey respondent

Making News

January 25, 2019

Forbes - Three key reports in the last week all call for less wasted food

January 17, 2019

The Globe and Mail - Vast majority of Canadian food waste takes place within the food industry - and not at the household level, study finds

January 17, 2019

National Post - Flush the Milk: Study finds more than half of food produced in Canada is wasted

Thank you

This project was made possible by a generous grant from the Walmart Foundation.

* This number includes imports