GUEST ARTICLE: Why we can’t wait another minute, day, year to solve the food waste epidemic
The truth is, global hunger isn’t about a lack of food. In fact, the world produces enough food for every man, woman and child on earth, but nearly one-third of all food produced each year — roughly a trillion dollars’ worth — is thrown away or spoiled (source: UN FAO). Americans waste almost as much food as the entire net food production of sub-Saharan Africa each year. (source: UN FAO)
We face a paradox. While 40% of food goes wasted, one in six people go hungry. In the U.S., we’re looking at more than 20 pounds of food wasted per person per month. And while tangible solutions to chip away at hunger are staring us in the face, we are (literally) throwing them away.
But it’s not just hunger. Food waste’s impact on our environment is so critical that national food industry and environmental organizations, government agencies and the UN agree that reducing food waste must be a top priority for protecting the environment.
As a food maker, recognizing that food waste is a problem isn’t enough. Because we are part of the problem — we all are. At General Mills, we take our role in positively impacting this issue very seriously. And while we have a long way to go, it’s progress, not perfection that’s needed to solve this complex issue. How can we challenge the broader industry and individual consumers to change today for a better tomorrow?
Leverage technology to make it easier not to waste food:
Feeding America’s MealConnect is a technology platform that gets would-be-wasted food — such as a small load of meat from a local butcher or a box of tomatoes from a farmer’s market — into the hands of those that need it. General Mills provided a $1 million grant to help develop the platform and scale out to communities nationwide. So far, the platform has facilitated more than one million pickups and moved more than 500 million pounds of food to food pantries and programs. It gives donors a convenient, free and safe way to reduce waste and connect surplus meals with food-insecure neighbors. It’s like Uber, for food waste.
Check our egos at the door:
We know a good idea can come from anywhere — so let’s seek out unique partners in tackling this issue. We just launched the General Mills Feeding Better Futures Scholars program, asking young people to share how they’re impacting hunger relief and sustainable agriculture in their communities. We want them to stand on our shoulders a bit — to shine a spotlight on the incredible work they’re doing and inspire others along the way.
Food leaders need to set the example:
Consumer-facing business and manufacturers are responsible for 42 percent of wasted food. That’s why, since 2010, General Mills has enabled more than 201 million meals through global food donations.
Learn from Save The Food:
All of us can and should be better about using the food we purchase. After all, each time we waste our food we’re throwing our hard-earned earned money away. I turn to the Save the Food campaign for practical tips to prevent food waste. For instance, did you know it takes 40 gallons of water to make one egg? Eye opening facts like this make me more conscious of my habits when it comes to waste. Now, I’m strategic about the items I buy at the grocery store and how they’re stored. I’ve learned that freezing fruit is a great option for preserving produce and frozen blueberries have become one of my favorite desserts!
Accessible food has been and will always be one of the most precious assets we have. It’s up to us to not only find hunger relief solutions, but also to change the perception of food waste to help make this challenge easier for generations to come.
At General Mills, we believe in the power of “together” for greater good. We’ve seen it time after time — small steps lead to big ideas and even bigger impact, and we’re determined to work together to make a difference both locally and globally, now and tomorrow.
Mary Jane Melendez is executive director at The General Mills Foundation, which focuses on increasing food security, advancing sustainable agriculture and strengthening local communities through volunteerism and grant-making addressing local needs.
