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How Much Food is Wasted Each Year?

Middle, Secondary

Description

It is estimated that approximately 30% of the food produced around the world is never consumed or is lost to spoilage.  This resource examines how the food we throw away contributes to global environmental issues like habitat loss, greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.  An informative slide show and short entertaining video, "Life of a Strawberry", set the context for an interactive exploration of this issue where students will:

 

  • Conduct a comprehensive school or home food waste audit

  • Create a short story from the perspective of a piece of produce, or a peer slide presentation that summarizes research on a food production topic

  • Brainstorm food recovery solutions and consider personal actions that can reduce waste

General Assessment

Recommendation of how and where to use it

This resource complements Grade 6-9 Science units exploring the causes and consequences of climate change and the connections between humans and global sustainability issues such as habitat loss, and biodiversity declines.  The "Destined for Trash" creative essay and the "Behind Our Food Waste" slide show both develop English Language Arts skills related to research, organizing information, reflection and communicating viewpoints.

One of the waste reduction ideas featured in the "School Waste Audit" is to create a "Share Table" in the cafeteria where pupils can place unwanted food items that are intact or unopened.  A class could implement and expand this action idea by also creating a social media post informing students and parents about the project, along with tips for sustainable food shopping.

Relevant Curriculum Units

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Themes Addressed

Air, Atmosphere & Climate (1)

  • Climate Change

Citizenship (1)

  • Sustainable Consumption

Waste Management (2)

  • Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
  • Source Reduction

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