The Need for Governments to Implement Policies Preventing Food Wastage by Supermarkets, Restaurants, Factories, and Warehouses

There must be a push for governments to further implement policies preventing food wastage. Supermarkets, restaurants, factories, and warehouses often throw out edible food. So we must bar the aforementioned places from throwing edible foods before their expiration date. Along with this, must be the prevention of farmers, market employees, and any other person involved in transporting food from the producer to the consumer by eliminating any foods for their unappealing shape. The mentioned institutions may also not deliberately spoil quality so that it may be thrown away, therefore preventing it from being eaten by the poor. Any excess food not needed by the institution, or those unlikely to be sold are to be donated to local or international charities, as well as other food banks instead. Retailers and suppliers that defy these policies repeatedly, will be shut down after multiple government-levied fines.

There are other alternatives for the public to use instead of expensive supermarkets. There is a heavy stigma on dumpster diving, a method where people look through bins that can actually contain clean meals that can be salvaged without spending anything. However, many corporations deliberately seal trash bins. Smallscale local markets or farms are also locations where the general public can save a significant sum of money, while obtaining healthier produce at the same time. Lastly, after-hours where employees will be throwing away edible food can be salvaged by those who visit the business after it has closed.

To increase consumer awareness, campaigns must be implemented to educate consumers on means to avoid food wastage, and the consequences of food wastage. Further involving the masses, is for governments to conduct a census on food distribution and wastage within their respective nations. The census will be aimed toward the identification of food wastage in individual locations, as well areas with insufficient or excess food.

As a solution, is the recommendation of the formation of integrated regional markets. This enables food to move from surplus to deficit areas, therefore increasing food availability and decreasing price volatility. The collection of excess food from certain food institutions will be directed to areas in need via cooperation and coordination with the assistance of the government. Nations who register high volumes of food wastage should redirect a percentage of food proportional to the amount of wastage. This however, can only be achieved to nations or regions with a deficit in food supplies, via mutual trade agreed by both parties.

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