US wastes 40% of its food and 40% of India goes to bed hungry

US wastes 40% of its food and 40% of India goes to bed hungry

On one hand the most powerful democracy trashes food and on the other hand the largest democracy goes to bed hungry. Both talk about human rights and dignity of life. What a tragedy of democracy?

The US “trashes” 40% of its food supply according to a new report published by the Natural Resources Defence Council (NRDC).

The equivalent of $165bn of uneaten food is discarded each year by Americans in a time of ever-increasing food prices and drought conditions, the NRDC said.

Project scientist at the NRDC Sana Gunders said that US consumers throw away every other piece of food they buy, which is money and resources “down the drain”. 

On the other hand in Indian, kinds are forced into work so they can earn to eat for themselves and for their family. 

Gunders added: “With the price of food continuing to grow, and drought jeopardising farmers nationwide, now is the time to embrace all the tremendous untapped opportunities to get more out of our food system. We can do better.”

The report, called ‘Wasted: How America Is Losing Up To 40% of its Food from Farm to Fork to Landfill’, analysed the latest case studies and government data on the causes and extent of food losses at all levels of the US food supply chain. The report also provided examples and recommendations for reducing the amount of waste.

On the other hand, many reports of Government of India indicates how food inflation is going beyond sustainable levels and how lack of investment in agriculture and food infrastructure leading to food inflation and forcing poverty.

Other key findings in the report were that an average American family of four ends up throwing up to $2,275 of food away each year. This is almost 4 times of the per capita income of an average Indian per year. 

Also, food waste in the US is the highest component of solid waste in US landfills and a 15% reduction would save enough food to feed 25m people a year. This is what India needs. 

In US, Food wastage has also increased by 50% since the 1970s. Whereas, malnutrition among Indian Children is more than 50%. 

Losses in the food system, the report discovered, were complex. However, notable problem areas started at the retail level with grocery stores and other sellers losing as much as $15bn in unsold fruits and vegetables each year —almost half of nationwide supply was going uneaten each year. 

Will FDI in retail increase the waste of decrease it, now this should be investigated?

Fresh fruit and vegetables were highlighted as the worst category, losing more than seafood, grains, meat and dairy.To avoid this, the report suggested retailers stopped over-stocking produce in displays. In India, even non perishables like cereals are also rot in godowns. 

Consumers, however, were also highlighted as a major contributor to food problems, as the majority of losses occurred in restaurants and domestic kitchens. This is what rich and famous have to understand, that their wasteful status conscious approach towards food wastage is keeping many hungry. 

A big contributor to this was the large portions being served as well as uneaten leftovers. Should be impose penalties on functions and parties based on the food wastage generated?  

Also highlighted by the report was the increase in portion sizes, which were often two to eight times larger than recommended by the government. This is value for money proposition in fact leading to wastage. 

In India, most of the food outlets offer less than recommended portion size and Consumer Protection Act has to intervene. 

Wasting food, the report said, is also a waste of natural resources such as water and farmland, which are necessary to grow, transport and store food. Half of all land in the US, the report highlighted, is used for agriculture and 25% of all freshwater used in the country along with 4% of oil also goes into food production. Uneaten food also accounts for more than 23% of all methane emissions in the US.

Should US come out with a law to protect Climate Change due to wasteful expenditure on food? 

The US is looking towards Europe and the UK as examples of how to manage food waste, said Gunders: “No matter how sustainably our food is farmed, if it’s not  being eaten, it is not a good use of resources.”

The best way to control food waste is cut down subsidy on food and agriculture in USA. Costs will go up, people will become rational and sensible in approach. All will gain around the world? Climate change and food producers in developing world will get better price for their produce because of overall reduction in subsidies world over. Income of all poor farmers will go up and will drive major socio-economic changes in rural societies. Migration will stop and this will also reduce pressure on urban centers. 

US is willing to sell arms to India worth billions but not willing to give food to India because poverty ridden India can remain a political ally of USA forever. Indian is willing to spend on arms from USA not willing to spend same amount of developing food security agenda for her own population? Can hungry country survive with arms in case of conflict? 

Look at the history of the world, No food insecure country can ever remain secure either financials or strategically. It has to follow the dictate of rich and powerful nations. Are we planning to repeat the history.  

Can President of USA and Prime Minister of India address this political issue? Yes, if there is a will to do so. USA is not keen, because doesn't serve their political and diplomatic interest. What about India?

What do you say? Any comments...