The Paradox of Plenty: Understanding the Causes of Global Food Waste

In an era when technology allows us to grow more food than ever before, it seems unthinkable that so much of it never reaches our plates. Yet research consistently shows that up to one-third to one-half of the world’s food production is wasted. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations estimates that around 1.3 billion tons of food are lost or wasted globally each year. This staggering figure raises uncomfortable questions: Why does food waste occur on such a massive scale? What does this say about our economic systems, cultural habits, and moral priorities?
The paradox is stark. On one hand, there is abundance: supermarket shelves overflowing with options, global supply chains delivering exotic fruits and vegetables across continents, and food advertising encouraging constant consumption. On the other hand, there is deprivation: more than 800 million people worldwide suffer from hunger, while millions more experience malnutrition. The fact that waste and hunger coexist reveals a profound imbalance in how societies produce, distribute, and consume food.
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