Food waste in Canada is a critical sustainability issue with wide-reaching effects on the environment, economy, and food security. To understand how Canadians view this challenge, the From Waste to Value series conducted polls on where food waste occurs, why people act to reduce it, and which solutions they find most effective.
Question 1: Where Does Most Food Waste Occur?
The first poll asked participants to identify where they believe the greatest amount of food waste occurs across the supply chain. Out of 20 submissions, the results were clear:
- Retail/Stores was the most frequently cited source of food waste, appearing in 10 responses, either alone or combined with other categories.
- Households came in close behind, mentioned in 7 responses, showing strong awareness of consumer-level waste.
- Five participants chose Farm/Production, highlighting recognition of upstream losses during harvesting, storage, and distribution.
- Four participants mentioned Restaurants/Food Service, often as part of multi-category answers.
Notably, several participants selected multiple categories, reflecting the belief that food waste is a systemic issue spanning production to consumption rather than being concentrated in one place. Overall, participants saw retail inefficiencies and consumer behavior at home as the leading drivers of waste, while also acknowledging upstream and service-sector losses.
This mirrors broader research findings that household food waste is the largest contributor in Canada, but retail supply chains are also a key concern.
Question 2: Why and How Do People Reduce Food Waste?
The second poll explored both the motivations behind reducing food waste and the strategies people use at home. Out of 18 responses:
Reasons to Reduce Food Waste
- Climate change and environmental impact and hunger/social justice were the top motivators.
- 10 respondents selected multiple reasons, showing that people see food waste as a complex issue multi-dimensional issue with environmental, social, and economic stakes.
- Some participants prioritized a single motivator, with hunger (4 responses) and climate impact (2 responses) standing out.
Strategies at Home
- Participants ranked meal planning and portion control as the leading approach (13 mentions), showing its practicality and accessibility.
- Repurposing leftovers and composting followed closely (11 mentions), reflecting strong engagement with waste diversion.
- Food donation or sharing appeared less frequently (7 mentions), likely due to logistical barriers compared to other methods.
Insight: These results suggest that people understand food waste reduction as a way to protect the climate, fight hunger, and save money. Most households rely on planning and composting, while donation is valued but less common.
Question 3: What Are the Most Effective Business and Community Solutions?
The third poll asked participants to rank solutions for businesses and communities in tackling food loss, and to share their willingness to take part in the #FoodWasteChallenge.
Effective Solutions
- Education and awareness campaigns emerged as the most frequently selected solution (11 mentions), highlighting the importance of behavior change.
- Circular economy practices like composting, packaging redesign, and recycling received 9 mentions.
- Eight participants selected redistribution and donation programs.”, showing alignment with social equity goals.
- Technology and data tools (AI, blockchain, traceability) were mentioned 4 times, signaling emerging but less emphasized interest.
Willingness to Act
- 12 participants said “Yes, absolutely” to joining the #FoodWasteChallenge, showing strong enthusiasm.
- 4 participants said “Maybe”, signaling openness but wanting more guidance.
- 4 participants did not respond, suggesting uncertainty or hesitation.
Insight: Participants see food waste as a multi-layered challenge requiring integrated solutions—education, circular systems, redistribution, and technology. Encouragingly, most are eager to take personal action through the #FoodWasteChallenge, showing alignment between awareness of systemic issues and willingness to contribute individually.
Key Takeaways
The From Waste to Value poll series reveals:
- Retail and households are perceived as top sources of food waste in Canada.
- People are motivated by climate action, hunger, and social justice, with strategies like meal planning and composting leading the way.
- Communities view education, circular economy practices, and redistribution as the most effective solutions.
- There is strong readiness to act personally, especially through initiatives like the #FoodWasteChallenge.
These insights show that Canadians see food waste as both a personal responsibility and a collective opportunity, reinforcing the urgent need for integrated food waste solutions across the supply chain.
