{"id":40650,"date":"2020-07-09T17:30:00","date_gmt":"2020-07-09T21:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/canada\/?p=40650"},"modified":"2021-12-06T06:27:14","modified_gmt":"2021-12-06T11:27:14","slug":"zero-food-waste-supermarkets-3-simple-actions-to-help-tackle-the-climate-crisis-and-food-insecurity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/canada\/en\/story\/40650\/zero-food-waste-supermarkets-3-simple-actions-to-help-tackle-the-climate-crisis-and-food-insecurity\/","title":{"rendered":"Zero food waste supermarkets: 3 simple actions to help tackle the climate crisis and food insecurity"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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One or two days worth of dumpster diving in San Diego, California. Picture: Rob Greenfield
<\/a> \u00a9 Rob Greenfield<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Here\u2019s a fact that many of us might have trouble believing: before the pandemic, 1 in 8 households<\/a> was already facing food insecurity in Canada. With the COVID-19 crisis, this number is on the rise. According to a recent survey from Statistics Canada<\/a>, 1 in 7 households are now food insecure.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Here\u2019s another disturbing number: while millions of Canadians are struggling to put food on the table, Canada is amongst the biggest food wasters on the planet. A staggering 58% of food produced in the country every year is lost or wasted<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong> That would be enough to feed every<\/em> Canadian for almost 5 months. While food charity is not a long-term solution to tackle poverty and  food insecurity, it can provide some immediate relief in these trying times. <\/p>\n\n

But food waste does not only impact people. It also takes a heavy toll on the environment. <\/strong>When organic matter biodegrades, it emits methane, a greenhouse gas roughly 30 times more potent<\/a> than carbon dioxide. In Canada, it contributes every year to 56.5 M tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n

And while a green and just recovery is on everyone\u2019s lips, huge supermarket chains like Loblaw, Sobeys and Metro are still throwing away tons of good, edible food<\/strong> every single day.<\/em><\/strong> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

It\u2019s all around bad for the planet, the people, and the climate. They must commit to zero edible food waste. Here are 3 actions to make it happen.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

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One day\u2019s worth of bread found in a Panera in Frederick, Maryland. Picture: Rob Greenfield<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

1. Ask your friends and family to tell supermarkets to commit to zero food waste <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

Many of us buy some or all of our groceries at supermarkets. Let\u2019s show them that their customers want change! The more people email Loblaw, Sobeys and Metro, the more pressure they will feel to change their habits. <\/p>\n\n