South Africa: South Africa Wastes 10 Million Tons of Food, But One Organisation Races to Save It

In Cape Town, a food rescue operation fights to save millions of tons from landfills while millions go hungry. | Contesto: cronaca

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• South Africa: South Africa Wastes 10 Million Tons of Food, But One Organisation Races to Save It

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In a warehouse on the outskirts of Cape Town, crates of packaged food, carrots and canned goods move quickly from pallets to plates. Stacked high against the walls, food that might otherwise go to waste is sorted and redistributed, part of a growing effort to tackle both hunger and food loss in South Africa. The operation is one of several run by a local organization racing to intercept edible food before it reaches landfills, as the country grapples with the staggering reality of wasting 10 million tons of food annually. That figure — 10 million tons — places South Africa among the world’s worst offenders in food waste, a problem that carries severe economic and environmental costs. According to recent estimates, roughly one-third of all food produced in the country is lost or wasted, much of it still fit for consumption. The waste occurs at every stage of the supply chain, from farms and packing houses to retailers and households. Yet, at the same time, an estimated 14 million South Africans experience hunger or inadequate access to nutritious food. The organization at the center of this effort, whose warehouse serves as a hub for collection and redistribution, works with farmers, wholesalers, and supermarkets to salvage surplus produce and packaged goods that would otherwise be discarded. Volunteers and staff sort through donations, checking for quality and safety, before dispatching them to community kitchens, schools, and shelters across the Western Cape. The model mirrors food rescue programs in other countries, but the scale of need in South Africa gives it particular urgency. Food waste is not only a social crisis but an environmental one. When organic matter decomposes in landfills, it releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Reducing food loss could therefore help South Africa meet its climate commitments while also easing pressure on water and land resources used in agriculture. Experts argue that preventing waste is often the most effective way to lower the carbon footprint of the food system, more so than many technological fixes. The broader implications extend to the economy. The 10 million tons of wasted food represent billions of rands in...

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Categoria: cronaca