Why Care About Food Waste?
It can be easy to forget about food once it’s thrown into the garbage. Out of sight, out of mind. Right?
But the fact is, food waste has a much longer lifespan than we realize—and, once discarded, it begins a long journey to decomposition that has a devastating impact on our environment, our economy, and our well-being.
The unfortunate consequences of food waste are already in effect, and unless changes are made, future generations will inherit a planet burdened by increased food insecurity, the depletion of natural resources, reduced biodiversity, and climate change.
If we come together, however, as a passionate community, making small changes in how we handle food in the cities where we live, the negative effects of food waste can be greatly reduced in Pinellas County. Today, we’re doing our part by providing three reasons why you should care about food waste.
It’s hurting our environment… badly.
Believe it or not, food waste is a significant contributor to climate change. When it sits in landfills, surrounded by other trash that isn’t biodegradable, food takes considerably longer to decompose. In the meantime, it releases harmful methane gases into the atmosphere, thus contributing negatively to the climate change issue. In fact, food waste generates “32.6 million cars’ worth of greenhouse gas emissions” in the U.S. alone, according to WWF.
In addition, data collected by the EPA show that 24% of landfilled waste and 22% of burned waste is from food ! As the “single most common material landfilled and incinerated in the U.S.” (USDA), the simple act of throwing away food is definitely wreaking havoc on a macro level.
Another thing to keep in mind are the valuable resources, like water, which are wasted in the process of growing, harvesting, transporting, and disposing of food that goes uneaten.
2. It’s VERY expensive.
A staggering $473 billion is spent on food that gets thrown away (Feeding America), and according to ReFED, “the average American spent $788 on food that went uneaten” in 2023.
Imagine what we could all do with an extra $788 in our pockets! These dollars could easily be redirected toward more meaningful purposes.
3. It takes food away from those in need.
According to the USDA, there were 47.4 million people facing food insecurity in 2023 and 7.2 million were children (USDA). For those unfamiliar with the term, “food insecurity” refers to a state in which regular access to sufficient nutrition is limited.
In Pinellas County, the rate of food insecurity was 12.8% in 2022. While that may not sound like a lot, it equates to 123,330 people in a very small portion of Florida.
If the amount of food wasted each year was redirected to the food-insecure, there would be more than enough to ensure no one is every hungry. This shocking realization is why it’s so crucial to care about food waste and take the necessary steps to improve our relationship with food.
What you can do
While the amount of food waste and food insecurity in our society is seriously problematic, there is hope. Organizations all over the country are making huge strides toward a more sustainable food system including us! At 360 Eats, we rescue food from local businesses while it’s still fresh, making delicious, chef-prepared meals, and serving them to food insecure communities all across Pinellas County.
We want to create a world with an abundance of natural resources for future generations to enjoy and we’re always looking for like-minded folks who share our values. If you want to be a part of a community of food waste warriors, we invite you to join our family as a donor, a partner, or a volunteer. You can reach us at info@360eats.org for more details on how to get involved.