Wasted Harvest: Unveiling the Global and Local Environmental Impact of Food Waste

In a world where one-third of all food produced goes to waste, the environmental repercussions are staggering. Let's delve into the alarming data surrounding food waste and uncover the global and local impact on our environment. From greenhouse gas emissions to the strain on our natural resources, the story of food waste needs urgent attention.

The Global Picture: A Tale of Waste and Emissions

Quantifying the Waste:

  • Over a third of all food produced is lost or wasted each year

  • We each throw away about 160 pounds of food annually - that’s a whole person worth of wasted food

  • In Canada, 32% of the food being wasted each year could be consumed

Greenhouse Gas Menace:

  • If food waste were a country, it would be the third largest emitter of greenhouse gas emissions, right behind China and the USA

  • A problem arises when food waste is thrown into landfills instead of being composted. When trapped amongst other garbage it can’t decompose correctly and creates methane gas 

  • Methane is a potent greenhouse gas with much higher global warming potential than carbon dioxide over a 20-year timeframe

The Carbon Footprint of Discarded Food:

  • Producing food requires valuable resources such as land, food, water and energy, so when your sandwich goes half-eaten, those resources are wasted as well 

  • Transportation of this food is a major contributor to emissions 

  • An example is avocado toast is usually available for brunch in Vancouver all year round even though most avocados are produced in Mexico - they have to get to our tables somehow! 

Local Impact: Food Stash Foundation's Environmental mission

Rescuing Resources, Reducing Emissions:

  • In 2024 we rescued 1.6 million pounds of food and avoided 132 tonnes of CO2 equivalent net greenhouse emissions avoided

  • This is equivalent to 146 roundtrip flights from Vancouver to Toronto or 50 cars on the road for a year! 

  • Plus this food was able to feed 11,000+ individuals every week

As we stand at the crossroads of environmental crisis and conscious change, Food Stash and the organizations it works with brings hope. With so many community members facing multiple barriers to accessing enough good food to thrive, the impact of inclusive, affordable food programs goes beyond reducing food waste, it transforms lives.

Subscribe to our newsletter and be part of the movement towards a greener, more sustainable future. Together, we can celebrate the value of good food and its power to nourish, connect, and revitalize. Join Food Stash Foundation in turning wasted harvests into a bounty of positive change.