How much food is wasted?

rade level: 4th – 5th grades

Skills: Multiplication

Related environmental issues:  Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Have you ever thrown away food after you felt full and stopped eating? In the United States, 30% of edible food is spoiled and thrown away.  That is as big as each person throwing away $494 every year.

  1. You have 4 people in your family. How much can your family save in a year if food is not wasted at all?
  2. What can you do to prevent food waste?

Foodwaste-Lebensmittelverschwendung-blog-vzug-1

 

Sources: U.S. EPA (2016). Sustainable Materials Management Program Strategic Plan. page 6.

Note) The food waste (and loss) is equivalent to $161 billion annually.

________________________________________________________________________

Answer keys

  1. $1,9764  (94 x 4 = 1,976)
  2. Answer may vary:Don’t over-serve food, Save and eat leftovers,Vacuum-pack unprepared or pre-cooked ingredients, Store food properly, Keep a record of your waste, Plan your meal before shopping