Food Waste: Metrics, Effects, and Hunger in Hawai‘i

Abstract

Food waste is often ignored in mainstream America. This is not wise as food waste inflicts various adverse effects on society. It is a major source of wasted money for consumers. It also contributes to the misallocation of resources from wasted production inputs, income losses, and higher disposal costs to businesses. It further imposes damaging effects on the environment and degradation in overall environmental quality. Finally, it decreases food security and lessens the likelihood of food donations to needy households.

While quantifying food waste is challenging, it is nevertheless measureable in three alternate ways in the food supply chain – (i) edible weight, (ii) economic value, and (iii) calorie equivalent. At the aggregate level, an estimated 237 thousand metric tons (523 million pounds) of edible food, valued at about $1 billion (1.54% of GDP), is wasted annually in Hawai‘i. This figure represents 26% of available edible food that is suitable for human consumption.

Opportunities exist to reduce food waste and to channel rescued food to feed hungry residents. Although the prevalence of household food insecurity in Hawai‘i is relatively low by national standards, the demand for “charity” food is still exceedingly high as suggested by local food advocates. As a tourism mecca, the ability to feed visitors and stationed military personnel ably but economic disadvantaged local residents to a lesser extent may lead to a false perception of inequitable treatment and unnecessarily aggravate social resentment.

Community activities to harness food waste and to feed the hungry serves as a practical strategy to preserve social cohesion, in addition to preserving the environment and supporting the economy. More tangible results are attainable with productivity and efficiency gains in the process to locating, rescuing, and redistributing edible food. This chapter is specific to Hawai‘i. However, its content is relevant and applicable far beyond Hawai‘i’s shores.