In the most recent thought-provoking episode of Cleo Abram's YouTube show, a claim was made that to meet the demands of the growing global population, we must increase food production by 50%. (Cleo Abram shown left)
However, Robbie Lockie, CEO of The Freedom Food Alliance (bottom left) raises an important counterpoint which is rather than producing more, shouldn’t we focus on reducing food waste and increasing efficiency?
The statistics around food waste are staggering. Globally, nearly 33% of food produced is lost or wasted across the supply chain. From farm to fork, food loss happens at every stage, from improper harvesting techniques to overstocking in supermarkets and food expiring in our homes
Understandably, addressing inefficiencies in the system could potentially reduce food production by up to 33%, while a 50% improvement in efficiency could ensure the same level of nutrition reaches consumers. *
As well, animal agriculture contributes significantly to these inefficiencies. Robbie Lockie points out in a recent social post 70 billion animals are raised and slaughtered annually to feed only 8 billion people, yet many still face food insecurity and daily hunger.
Cutting down on this wasteful system, combined with targeted interventions like improving post-harvest storage, smarter retail practices along with domestic usage education could drastically reshape the food system. On the domestic front, educating people about proper food storage, meal planning, and understanding expiration dates can reduce waste in homes.
Source: Dreamstime.com
The role of government is crucial in this shift. Robbie Lockie suggests the appointment of a "Minister of Food" in the UK, a role dedicated to addressing food waste, hunger, and food system reform. With the ongoing changing weather patterns threatening agricultural resilience, such a position could ensure future policies are designed to reduce waste and boost food equity. Same could be said for US, Australia and New Zealand.
Ultimately, by focusing on reducing food waste and increasing production efficiency, we can create a more sustainable food system without the need for drastic increases in production. Is it not time to drastically rethink how we feed the world?
For more information about The Freedom Food Alliance CLICK HERE.
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