To my mind, one of the greatest shames of the modern world is the horrific waste of food that can be seen across the majority of the western world. Food that is wasted, not by accident, but often intentionally in order to gain tax breaks, protect a corporation from litigation, or simply due to cutting costs. We don’t have to look outside the UK, either, to discover some of the worst examples of this.
Food waste is a silent crisis that persists on our doorstep, hidden within the supply chains and often overlooked in discussions surrounding sustainability, food security, and climate change. It's a crisis that not only squanders precious resources but also contributes significantly to environmental degradation and exacerbates issues like food insecurity.
The Farm-to-Table Food Waste Chain
A recent study conducted in the UK sheds light on the alarming scale of food waste within the country's primary production sector. It unveils a disconcerting truth: while we might believe that food waste primarily occurs on supermarket shelves or in our own kitchens, a significant portion of it happens even before the food reaches our homes. In fact, it amounts to a staggering 3.3 million tonnes, with 2.9 million tonnes of that being perfectly edible food, intended for human consumption. These statistics represent between 6% and 7% of the total food produced for human consumption in the UK.
This food waste doesn't only translate into lost meals; it carries profound economic consequences as well. The estimated value of the waste within UK primary production stands at £1.8 billion, equivalent to a staggering 6.5% of the total value of food produced in the UK. To put it in perspective, the food sector is a significant contributor to the country's economy, generating billions of pounds in revenue annually. Yet, food waste drains approximately 30% of profit from farming, highlighting the financial toll it takes on the agricultural sector.
Environmental Consequences
But the impacts don't stop there. Food waste also bears a heavy environmental burden. Reports reveal that the land area used to produce food that ends up wasted on UK farms amounts to a staggering 9,600 square kilometres per year, equivalent to nearly half the land area of Wales. This land could otherwise be utilized for more sustainable purposes, addressing issues of biodiversity and mitigating the need for further agricultural expansion.
Furthermore, the environmental toll extends to freshwater usage and water pollution. Agriculture is a major consumer of freshwater resources, and food waste only exacerbates this demand. Reports indicate that the overall freshwater withdrawal associated with UK farm-stage food waste is equivalent to 292,800 Olympic-sized swimming pools. This excessive water use disrupts local ecosystems and contributes to water pollution, threatening aquatic life and reducing water quality.
Hidden Crisis: Food Insecurity
While addressing food waste at the primary production stage is crucial, the issue of food waste and insecurity in the UK goes well beyond the farms. It's a multifaceted challenge deeply intertwined with economic, environmental, and social dimensions.
In recent years, the issue of food insecurity has gained increasing attention in the UK. It's a sobering reality that in a country of relative affluence, millions of individuals and families struggle to access an adequate and nutritious diet. Recent data reveals that in June 2023, a staggering 9 million adults in the UK, representing 17% of households, experienced food insecurity. This means they often lacked the means to secure at least one nutritious meal a day.
Even more distressing is the fact that 3 million adults, or 5.9% of households, reported not eating for an entire day due to the inability to afford or access food. This highlights the paradox of food waste coexisting with food insecurity in the same society. While millions of tons of edible food are wasted each year, millions go hungry.
Addressing the Crisis
To combat food insecurity, there is an urgent need for comprehensive actions. One crucial step is to ensure that all children in poverty have access to at least one nutritious meal a day at school. This can be achieved by expanding the provision of Free School Meals to all children on Universal Credit regardless of parent income, A move recently pushed in Wales by Plaid Cymru.
Additionally, addressing food insecurity requires tackling the root causes, which often relate to income and economic stability. The government can play a pivotal role by setting minimum wage and benefits levels that account for the cost of a healthy diet and other essential needs. As well as implementing harsh fines, legislation, or taxation on those companies engaging in mass food waste. Such as the Food Waste Prevention Legislation in France.
Businesses also have a role to play. Retailers can contribute by making healthy food options more affordable and rebalancing the cost of a basic shopping basket to ensure that nutritious choices are accessible to everyone.
Conclusion: A Collective Effort
In conclusion, the time has come to shine a spotlight on the hidden waste that occurs within our food supply chains, particularly at the primary production stage. By addressing farm-stage food waste, the UK can make significant strides towards a more sustainable and efficient food system, where resources are used responsibly, food security is improved, and the environmental impact is minimized. Our government can and should target corporations engaged in egregious food waste and destruction, however tough that journey may be. It's a journey that requires collective effort, but it's one we must undertake for the sake of our planet, our economy, and our future generations.