What is Food Waste?

Food waste occurs for many reasons, including overproduction, improper storage, aesthetic standards, and consumer behavior. Related terms include food loss, which typically refers to losses in the production and distribution stages, and food recovery, which focuses on redirecting edible food to people or composting. Reducing food waste is a key sustainability strategy that conserves resources, lowers emissions, and addresses food insecurity, making it an important focus for both households and organizations.