Optimizing Food Resources: Empowering Households Through Effective Food Management for Enhanced Food Security
This title has been presented on Thursday, December 14, 2023 at 14.00-14.10 GMT+7.
Abstract
This title has been presented on Thursday, December 14, 2023 at 14.00-14.10 GMT+7.
There is a link between consumer food waste, healthy diets and environmental impacts, with implications for food security and hunger. Data shows that the average household consumer throws away nearly 1 kg/day (about a quarter of edible food). This food waste accounts for significant amounts of wasted agricultural land, irrigation water, fertilizers, pesticides, and energy, as well as greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental impacts. These inefficiencies can reduce agricultural productivity and undermine efforts to feed a growing population and reduce food insecurity. This research explores strategies to empower households through food resource optimization. Based on a search through PubMed using the keywords food waste food security household, 104 articles were obtained and 6 articles were then continued for further research. The study results show that food waste tends to be greater in households experiencing mild and moderate food insecurity because the expenditure of poor households is mostly directed to buy staple foods. Socio-economic status is still the main key to high food insecurity so redistributing leftover food to those in need can certainly improve food security for people with low socio-economic status. Actions that households need to take to reduce food waste include good food management, especially in storage, processing and portioning. Other actions include the diversion of food to people through different channels (e.g. food banks or markets) or to feed animals and for industrial use. Strategies needed for community empowerment to optimize food resources include minimizing food waste, promoting sustainable agriculture, nutrition education, good storage techniques, commitment from the community, and making appropriate policies.
