63% of Canadian household food waste is avoidable, costing $1,300 annually
September 29 is the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (IDAFLW), highlighting the impact of food waste in Canada and promoting actionable steps to reduce waste, save money, and protect the environment
Observed annually on September 29, the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (IDAFLW) aims to raise global awareness about food waste and promote efforts to reduce it.
"The problem in Canada is that 63 per cent of Canadian household food waste is avoidable, which is costing us around $1,300 every year," says Megan Czerpack, Manager of Love Food Hate Waste.
Canadians waste about 140 kilograms of food per household each year, with common items like vegetables, dairy, eggs, and baked goods being tossed. But why is food waste so prevalent, and how can it be reduced?
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One key issue is misunderstanding ‘best before’ dates. Many assume they indicate food safety, but these dates actually refer to freshness, flavour, and nutritional quality—provided the package remains unopened. Once opened, food quality can vary.
To determine if food has gone bad, rely on your senses. If it smells off, looks discoloured, or has an unusual texture, it’s likely time to discard it.
Reducing food waste starts with simple steps:
Plan meals ahead to only buy what is needed.
Store food according to package directions.
Batch cook or freeze leftovers.
These practices can extend freshness for longer, save money, and reduce food waste’s environmental impact—benefiting households and the planet.
"Between eight and 10 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions are a result of lost and wasted food, so that is over four times the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that are being emitted by the the whole aviation industry," says Czerpack. "So we know that flying is bad the environment. Well, it turns out that food waste is significantly worse for the environment."
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