There is a need to rethink existing farming and food systems to tackle the problem of food loss
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations estimates that about a third of the food the world produces annually is lost or wasted before it reaches the market, due to problems ranging from the lack of proper post-harvest storage, processing or transportation facilities.
The unfolding Covid-19 pandemic and measures to curb the spread of the virus have exacerbated the food waste problem in many parts of the world. Labour shortages and logistic bottlenecks resulting from border closures, lockdowns and trade disruptions have disrupted the harvesting, processing and transportation of food supplies. The crisis has thrown into sharp relief the need to rethink existing farming and food systems.
How food is lost
At the farm
Overreliance on a shrinking list of crops, such as corn, wheat and soybeans, increases risk of pests and disease.
Climate change leads to extreme weather conditions which affect harvest.
Mismatch in supply and demand leads to over-production of certain produce, which is wasted when there is not enough consumer demand.
Lack of storage and poor handling of produce during harvesting.
Processing & Distribution
Spillage and degradation during transportation.
Spoilage due to delays and lack of cold-logistics facilities.
Disposal of imperfect food due to strict grading system.
At the Marketplace
Retailers and consumers set standards requiring food to be of a certain size, shape or colour.
Food perceived to be imperfect is discarded by restaurants, supermarkets and consumers.
How food is saved
Here’s a look at how social enterprise WhatIF Foods and Singapore farm Chew’s Agriculture have implemented ways to cut loss and reduce the environmental impacts of agriculture — even before the current crisis.
Chew’s Agriculture: Sustainable farming
This Singapore farm, which signed an SME sustainability-linked loan with DBS last year, partners waste-to-energy plant Acromec to utilise chicken manure combined with wood chips from plant trimmings to generate electricity for the farm.
The waste-to-energy plant is part of its circular farming system, which also includes minimising food loss when hens are later used for other food items.
The waste-to-energy plant at Chew’s Agriculture converts chicken manure to energy used for farm operations.
WhatIF Foods: Champion of Crop Diversification
This DBS Foundation Social Enterprise Grant Awardee seeks ways to diversify crop yields in small farms around the world by developing Future Fit Crops, a group of climate-resilient and drought-tolerant crops that have the ability to produce good yields on degraded or marginalised land.
These include the Bambara groundnut, moringa and lupin, which can be used in combination to make staples like noodles that have a higher protein content. This method not only gives small farms another market to sell their harvest, but also creates more sustainable alternative sources of nutrition.
The Bambara groundnut, seen here sold at a market in Ghana, is a Future Fit Crop developed by WhatIF Foods.
This content is produced in partnership with ST Life.
How good are you at reducing food waste at home? Take this quiz and find out!
Question 1 of 5
How many of these actions do you take at home?
(You can select more than 1 response)
Question 1 of 5
Well done
3 simple steps to reduce food waste at home: 1. Check the fridge and use what's already there before buying more. 2. Eat your leftovers! 3. Plan & make a shopping list to avoid buying food you won't have time to eat.
Question 1 of 5
You're nearly there!
3 simple steps to reduce food waste at home: 1.Check the fridge and use what's already there before buying more. 2. Eat your leftovers! 3. Plan & make a shopping list to avoid buying food you won't have time to eat.
Question 1 of 5
Good try!
3 simple steps to reduce food waste at home: 1.Check the fridge and use what's already there before buying more. 2. Eat your leftovers! 3. Plan & make a shopping list to avoid buying food you won't have time to eat.
Question 2 of 5
You are packing your grocery cabinet. The best way to organise your groceries is to move older products to the front of the fridge/freezer/pantry and put new products in the back. What is this practice called?
Question 2 of 5
Well done
FIFO! It stands for First In, First Out. This way, you’re more likely to use up older food items before they expire! On a similar note, keep a list of what's in the freezer and when each item was frozen. Place this on the freezer door for easy reference and use items before they pass their prime. Note the upcoming expiration dates on food you already have at home, and plan meals around the products that are closest to expiration.
Question 2 of 5
You're nearly there!
FIFO! It stands for First In, First Out. This way, you’re more likely to use up older food items before they expire! On a similar note, keep a list of what's in the freezer and when each item was frozen. Place this on the freezer door for easy reference and use items before they pass their prime. Note the upcoming expiration dates on food you already have at home, and plan meals around the products that are closest to expiration.
Question 2 of 5
Good try!
FIFO! It stands for First In, First Out. This way, you’re more likely to use up older food items before they expire! On a similar note, keep a list of what's in the freezer and when each item was frozen. Place this on the freezer door for easy reference and use items before they pass their prime. Note the upcoming expiration dates on food you already have at home, and plan meals around the products that are closest to expiration.
Oops! Your box of cereal has just passed its "best before" date. What do you do?
Question 3 of 5
Well done
You don't necessarily need to bin it! The "best before" date of a food item should not be mistaken for its "expiry date". The "best before" date indicates how long the item will be at its best quality, and is usually used for food with a longer shelf life such as cereals. However, the safety of a food product does not depend on its expiry date alone. Products not stored or handled properly can be unsafe to eat too. So remember to check for signs of spoilage!
Question 3 of 5
You're nearly there!
You don't necessarily need to bin it! The "best before" date of a food item should not be mistaken for its "expiry date". The "best before" date indicates how long the item will be at its best quality, and is usually used for food with a longer shelf life such as cereals. However, the safety of a food product does not depend on its expiry date alone. Products not stored or handled properly can be unsafe to eat too. So remember to check for signs of spoilage!
Question 3 of 5
Good try!
You don't necessarily need to bin it! The "best before" date of a food item should not be mistaken for its "expiry date". The "best before" date indicates how long the item will be at its best quality, and is usually used for food with a longer shelf life such as cereals. However, the safety of a food product does not depend on its expiry date alone. Products not stored or handled properly can be unsafe to eat too. So remember to check for signs of spoilage!
Question 4 of 5
You just stocked up on onions. How do you keep them fresh, for as long as possible?
(You can select more than 1 response)
Question 4 of 5
Well done
Onions should be kept in mesh bags! Onions are best stored in a cool, dry, dark and well-ventilated area to prevent sprouting and rotting. An open basket, bamboo steamer, mesh bag or netted bag will do. Avoid leaving whole onions in the fridge or plastic bags as they will rot faster. Whole onions should also not be frozen as they become mushy when defrosted.
Question 4 of 5
You're nearly there!
Onions should be kept in mesh bags! Onions are best stored in a cool, dry, dark and well-ventilated area to prevent sprouting and rotting. An open basket, bamboo steamer, mesh bag or netted bag will do. Avoid leaving whole onions in the fridge or plastic bags as they will rot faster. Whole onions should also not be frozen as they become mushy when defrosted.
Question 4 of 5
Good try!
Onions should be kept in mesh bags! Onions are best stored in a cool, dry, dark and well-ventilated area to prevent sprouting and rotting. An open basket, bamboo steamer, mesh bag or netted bag will do. Avoid leaving whole onions in the fridge or plastic bags as they will rot faster. Whole onions should also not be frozen as they become mushy when defrosted.
Question 5 of 5
You're about to go grocery shopping, what do you do?
(You can select more than 1 response)
Question 5 of 5
Well done
Every time we throw food away, part of our hard-earned money is wasted! Let’s order, buy and cook just enough – or keep leftovers for the next day’s meal. It’s more friendly for our wallets!
Question 5 of 5
You're nearly there!
Every time we throw food away, part of our hard-earned money is wasted! Let’s order, buy and cook just enough – or keep leftovers for the next day’s meal. It’s more friendly for our wallets!
Question 5 of 5
Good try!
Every time we throw food away, part of our hard-earned money is wasted! Let’s order, buy and cook just enough – or keep leftovers for the next day’s meal. It’s more friendly for our wallets!
Thank You
Wow! You're a food rescue champion! By meal planning and making the most of your leftovers, you're certainly making an impact to reduce food waste!
What next? Why not be an advocate and share your great habits with family and friends? Here are some articles and videos you can share with them too!
Thank You
Amazing job! You're mindful not to waste food! It's great you're trying your best not to waste food. Keep it up! Here are some tips and reads to keep you motivated.
While you're at it, why not share this quiz with someone else? Let's all work together to reduce wastage and help our environment!
Thank You
0
Good effort! Keep going! Some of your habits may be leading you to waste more food than you need to. Take some easy steps today to lessen your food waste - it's easier on your wallet too! Here are some tips and reads to get you started!
