If you find yourself having to purge your refrigerator’s crisper bin every few weeks, imagine what goes on at a grocery store. The Institution of Mechanical Engineers estimates that annually between a third and a half of all food produced is wasted worldwide. According to the Guardian, approximately 45% of all fruits and vegetables, 35% of fish and seafood, 30% of cereals, and 20% of meat and dairy products are wasted by suppliers, retailers, and consumers every year.
How Large Food Retailers Can Help Solve the Food Waste Crisis
Between a third and a half of all food produced is wasted worldwide. This is a frivolous use of natural resources that drives up costs, inflates food prices, and weakens the food supply chain. Large food retailers such as Kroger, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Carrefour, and Wal-Mart stand in a unique position to address this global food issue. Because of their direct links with farmers, processors, and consumers, they have the power to influence every facet of the supply chain — and because the industry is highly concentrated, retailers have considerable market power to make change. A four-pronged strategy can help retailers reduce food waste as it occurs in food farming and production, in stores, and during consumption. It can also help retailers strengthen retail partnerships with food suppliers and connect with customers’ needs and wants. Retailers must: 1) Upgrade inventory systems with the latest technology, 2) partner with farmers in the supply chain, 3) modify or eliminate traditional store practices that increase waste, and 4) team up with consumers.