50% of all food produced on the planet never reaches its intended human stomach

Food waste – a global issue

The cost of available resources is increasing and demand from an expanding global middle class, combined with population growth and climatic changes are increasing pressure on food, water, mineral and energy resources.34

Despite this, it is estimated that 50% of all food produced on the planet goes to waste.35 As a result some 550bn cubic metres of water are wasted in growing crops that never reach the consumer.36 When we waste food, we also waste all of the land, nutrient, water and energy resources that went into producing it.

As the population continues to increase and more pressure is placed on global food production, we have a moral obligation but also an absolute need, to address the issue.

34 McKinsey 2011: Resource Revolution: Meeting the World’s Energy, Materials, Food and Water Needs

35 The Instiution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) 2013: Global Food: Waste Not, Want Not

36 The Instiution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) 2013: Global Food: Waste Not, Want Not