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Take the Earth Day Challenge to reduce waste to help the environment and your company’s bottom line
$1 trillion worth of food is wasted annually worldwide. That equates to about a third of the food production worldwide, and it’s a growing issue, not just for the environment, but for millions of hungry people worldwide.
Just this week, more than 80 of the world’s most impactful food system leaders – researchers, farmers, chefs, policy makers, government officials, and students – gathered for a two-day summit called #FoodTank. Panels addressed topics including nourishing the planet, improving nutrient density, the future of organic, investing in the food movement, legislating change in the food system, and more (you can actually watch the entire summit here).
Last fall, world leaders were served “trash” at the U.N. to shed light on the issue. Dishes such as a “Landfill Salad” of vegetable scraps and rejected apples and pears were given to the leaders to showcase just how edible and delicious these foods, which are typically discarded, can be. As food and agriculture leaders are combating the issue worldwide, consumers are looking to their go-to brands to take action on a smaller scale.
Companies and citizens are taking a stand to find ways to reduce waste. Take Food Policy Action for example, a group that is urging Americans to pressure Congress to reduce the food waste in the US, in ways such as changing the “sell by” date on products, which is often inaccurate, thus leading to more waste. Brands such as our client, Prosciutto di Parma, are working with chefs and retailers to find options to deliciously use the entire leg of prosciutto. End pieces can be chopped up and used in soup, the bone can make a delicious brodo and fat can be drizzled on crostinis. Findings ways to use the whole leg helps restaurants use more of our product, and comforts consumers who consider themselves global, eco-conscious citizens.
So today, on Earth Day, what can your company do to reduce food waste and establish yourself as a responsible corporate citizen? If you don’t work in the food industry, how can you personally reduce your own food waste? Let us know in the comments section below!
Last, but not least, please enjoy this PSA from Mario Batali about saving our ugly food!