Food waste in Canada opportunities to increase the competitiveness of Canada's agri-food sector, while simultaneously improving the environment

Summary: Along with the rest of the world, Canada invests enormous resources in seeking ways to feed a growing population through increased production. Far fewer resources are invested in making more effective useof the food already produced, even though doing so would have immediate results. An estimated $27 billion in Canadian food annually finds its way to landfill and composting, creating unnecessarily high levels of carbon and methane. More effectively managing the food already been produced would significantly benefit our economy and the environment. This paper looks at the entire food system in order to identify primary causes of waste. It then suggests ways in which Canada's agrifood sector could increase its competitiveness and, simultaneously, reduce its environmental footprint through reduction of food waste.