FOOD WASTAGE

[Virtual Presenter] Good morning. Today, I am here to discuss the importance of consuming food responsibly and how it can help reduce food waste and loss. I will explain the current situation, examine the causes and effects, and propose some solutions for this important issue..

[Audio] The consumption of food and its effects have been a hot topic lately, from the source to the end user. This is due to the need for a responsible consumption level of food. Several issues, such as mold, pests, cooking and even intentional food waster need to be considered and addressed for this to be achieved. Similarly, proper distribution and proper utilization of resources should be assured. Furthermore, to decrease consumption levels, it is necessary to understand the global consumption habits, to create a responsible and sustainable plan..

[Audio] Humans rely heavily on food for the sustenance of health and wellbeing. Food contains vital nutrients like fatty acids, carbohydrates, and proteins that our bodies need in order to stay functioning properly. It also gives us energy that is necessary for growth and development. With this in mind, it is important to be aware of the food we eat and to make sure we are consuming it in a responsible manner..

[Audio] Food waste is rapidly becoming a critical issue, with multiple sources. Poor planning and over-purchasing of ingredients can lead to too much food being made. Additionally, mistakes in the industrial production process as well as managerial, financial, and technical restrictions can contribute to an excess of food. In the restaurant, hotel, and foodservice industry, these same considerations can cause over-preparation. To help combat this, more effort should be put into the planning of what to buy and make, in order to prevent problems with wasted food..

[Audio] With the increasing variety of food options available, it is essential to make sure that our consumption is mindful and responsible. Improper planning is a major factor that contributes to food wastage. When buying food, it is essential to plan ahead of time when and how it should be cooked and eaten. Let us be mindful of our food consumption and practice responsible eating..

[Audio] On the topic of responsible consumption of food stuff, it is not uncommon for us to buy and prepare more than we need. This leads to wasting food that has been served on a plate or cooking pot, or that has gone past its expiry date and isn't fit for eating anymore. We have to be careful about the amount we purchase and prepare, so that we don't end up with food that has to be thrown away..

[Audio] In today's world, food safety and quality have become extremely important aspects to consider when it comes to consumption. This is why we must remain up to date with the latest food safety policies, and strive to minimize errors in industrial processing. Doing so helps guarantee the quality of the food we consume and helps reduce food wastage..

[Audio] Having access to abundant food resources is an incredible privilege, but it is important to make sure that we are consuming responsibly. In developing countries, managerial, financial, and technical constraints can lead to food wastage. For example, inefficient harvesting methods, improper storage, inadequate finances, and cooling problems can all lead to food being wasted before it even makes it to consumers. We must all strive to minimize our own impacts on the problem, and make sure that food is being used to its full potential..

[Audio] As it is evident from this slide, over-preparation of food by restaurants, hotels, and the foodservice industry is common. Although it is done with good intentions, such as to not run out of items on their menu, it often leads to the wastage of unsold food. To avoid this, it is essential to find a balance between anticipation of customer flow and the amount of food that is prepared..

[Audio] The effect of food waste on our world can be devastating, leading to biodiversity loss, increased carbon footprints, and blue water footprints. All of these problems are contributing to climate change and have economic repercussions. To preserve the world's resources, we must be more mindful of how we consume food..

[Audio] With global food wastage continually on the rise, its negative impacts on the environment, biodiversity, and wildlife are undeniable. Expansion of farmland through deforestation has already led to the extinction of many species, and will continue to do so if we continue to be irresponsible with our food consumption. It is therefore essential that we all work together to become more conscious of our food consumption and strive to limit unnecessary waste. Doing so will ensure the well-being of our environment and the preservation of biodiversity..

[Audio] The wastage of our fertile land regions is one of the most pressing global issues. A significant amount of research has demonstrated that an area of 1.4 billion hectares, amounting to about a third of the planet’s agricultural land, is being occupied by unconsumed food. To ensure the efficient and effective use of our valuable land resources, we need to be cognizant and aware of our food consumption..

[Audio] With the rate of population growth, the amount of freshwater used in the production and processing of food is becoming an increasingly pressing concern. It is alarming to think that wasting 30 percent of all food produced means the same proportion of freshwater is also being lost. To reduce our blue water footprint, it is essential that everyone takes appropriate action and makes more mindful decisions about food choices..

[Audio] With our population increasing and resources becoming scarce, addressing food waste is essential. The food we consume has a direct effect on the climate, and the food wasted has been estimated to equate to 3.3 billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions, significantly adding to climate change. In order to safeguard our planet, it is essential to make a conscious effort to reduce food waste..

[Audio] Today, I'm talking about the economic consequences of food wastage. According to the FAO's report, annually, we are losing around 750 billion dollars because of throwing away food. Therefore, to help our environment and economy, we need to be responsible when it comes to our food consumption..

[Audio] When it comes to food consumption, reducing food waste is essential to protecting our planet and the people on it. Every year, an estimated 1.3 billion tons of food is wasted, while 821 million people go hungry. Reducing food waste is not only a way to help those in need, but it also simply makes sense. When we waste less food, we're reducing the amount of resources, labor, and effort that went into producing it, not to mention the resources that go into transporting and processing it. Fortunately, there are some amazing solutions to reduce food waste such as increasing awareness, avoiding overbuying and implementing food donation programs..

[Audio] Today, our planet is facing an escalating issue of food wastage. To reduce this problem, we need to focus primarily on balancing food production with the demand for it. To do this, we can start by reducing how much we are using from our natural resources for food production. We can also look into using more efficient technology when producing food, in order to decrease the wastage of resources. Making sure that the food that is grown is put to good use, and that we are aware of our own consumption habits, can also go a long way towards making sure that our food resources are being conserved..

[Audio] Implementing efficient production systems can improve the way we store, harvest, process and distribute food stuff. This helps to reduce wastage and use fewer resources in the production process. Ultimately, this can bring about more affordable and accessible food. Therefore, optimizing food harvesting, storage, processing and distribution processes is essential..

[Audio] Food consumption is increasing, and consequently so is food waste. To lessen our environmental impact, it is necessary to form inventive ways of decreasing our food footprint. Supermarkets, retail outlets, restaurants and families can collaborate to lower the amount of food waste being produced. This may include prudent buying, proper storage and sharing resources. If we take measures to reduce food waste, we can aid in establishing a more sustainable future..

[Audio] Meal plans can be a great tool for reducing food waste. By taking the time to plan our food purchases, we can ensure we are buying the right amount of food, eliminating the risk of items being wasted because of outdated storage dates. Taking the time to think about our food consumption and utilizing meal plans can be an effective way of helping to reduce food waste..

[Audio] We should be mindful that our food consumption affects the environment. We can ensure that the food on our plate is responsibly sourced and that it is done in a way that does not harm the environment. Food recycling is a great way to achieve this. Items such as crisps, bread, biscuits, and breakfast cereals can be recycled and used to make high-quality livestock feed. Although food recycling is already in practice, there is still room for improvement with the technologies and methods used for this process..

[Audio] Concluding, food loss and waste have a significant impact on sustainability, climate change, food security and the cost of food. Everyone should be conscious of the results of careless consumption and should be motivated to make an effort to reduce food waste. I thank the audience for their attention..