FOOD LOSS AND WASTE READING 1

On 29 September 2020, we celebrated the first observance of the International Day of Awareness

of Food Loss and Waste. It also came during the global COVID-19 pandemic, that has brought about
a wake-up call on the need to transform and rebalance the way our food is produced and
consumed. Wasting less, eating better and adopting a sustainable lifestyle are key to building a
world free of hunger.

For many people in the world, food waste has become a habit:
buying more food than we need at markets, letting fruits and
vegetables spoil at home or taking larger portions than we can
eat.

Globally, tonnes of edible food are lost or wasted every day.

Around 14 percent of food produced is lost between harvest and
retail, while an estimated 17 percent of total global food
production is wasted in retail or in the consumption (11 % in
households, 5 % in the food service and 2 % in retail).

When we waste food, we waste the labour, effort, investment

and precious resources (like water, seeds, feed, etc.) that go into
producing it, not to mention the resources that go into
transporting and processing it.  In addition, the disposal of food
loss and waste in landfills, leads to greenhouse gas emissions,
contributing to climate change.

Reducing food loss and waste is essential in a world where millions of people go hungry every day.
It is a problem that everyone from farmers and producers to customers and shop-owners can help
end. It’s up to us to change our habits to make not wasting food a way of life!

1. This is a ___________ of the food chain. Can you complete the last two levels?

PRODUCTION

PROCESSING AND PACKAGING

RETAIL

CONSUMPTION
FOOD LOSS AND WASTE READING 1

1. Find synonyms in the underlined words in the text for the following words:

The place where rubbish is buried

The small, hard part of a plant from which a new plant grows.

Go bad/ruin:
Crop:
Cause/produce:

Match the following definitions with the underlined words in the text:

3. Translate the following words from the text. You may use a dictionary if you need it.

a) :

2. Say whether the following sentences are TRUE or FALSE. Justify your answer.
a) We waste more food at home than in..
b)
c)
d)
3. Answer the following questions in your own words:
a) In which sense does food waste and loss damages the environment?
b)
c)

4. Let’s investigate! Can you find the SDG related to food waste and loss? What about the
FOOD LOSS AND WASTE READING 1