Why is Wasted
Food a Problem?
The graphic on this cover shows us that 22 percent of trash is food. Did
you know that most of that food does not have to go to the landfill?
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Americans threw out more
than 39 million tons of food waste in 2015. From farms to supermarkets and then to
consumers’ tables, approximately 30 percent of the food grown is never eaten.
The average family of four could save more than $1,000 worth of edible food per year!
Not only is uneaten food a waste of money, it is also bad for the environment.
If global food waste were a country, it would be the third largest generator
of greenhouse gases in the world behind China and the United States. More
food reaches landfills than any other single solid-waste material.
Food Production Chain
There are several steps food takes to
go from the farm or ranch where it is
produced to get to your table. When
all of these steps are put together, it is
called the food production chain.
All food starts in the production step.
Some people may think food is grown
in the supermarket, but that is not the
case. All food begins at a farm or ranch.
From there, food travels to processing and
distribution centers. Finally, food reaches
consumers at grocery stores or restaurants.
Take a look at the food production chain
to see all the steps included between the
farm or ranch before it gets to consumers.
4 - Colorado Agriculture in the Classroom