Lesson 5: Basics of developing food waste strategy for communities

Various strategies can be used in order to reduce the amount of food waste. Some effective examples would be as follows:

1. Stopping “overproduction”: “More” doesn’t mean good in any situation. One strong way to reduce food waste is to diminish food overproduction. This can be achieved via a variety of measures, like improving agricultural methods to increase the efficiency of production. Implementing reasonable policies & regulations to encourage the reduce food waste is another important point.
2. Improving food storage & preservation: To improve the storage and preservation of food may be the long-awaited solution we’ve always sought for. This method is based on developing better packaging and storage technologies to extend the shelf life of food. Besides, implementing food waste reduction programs in big supermarket chains and restaurant chains can prevent food from spoiling or wasting.
3. Redirecting food waste to people in less developed countries: One of the most effective, meaningful and “win-win” strategies to reduce food waste is to redirect food to people who lack proper nutrition in less developed countries. Donating food to food banks and other organizations that provide food to poor people is a perfect option that can reduce hunger on a global scale.
4. Remeasuring portion sizes: Reducing portion sizes is also important to fight food waste. Reducing the amount of food that is not only budget-friendly but also a healthy choice and a great way to ensure that food resources are used more efficiently.