Document Type
Article
Abstract
In a world that produces enough food for all of its occupants, a staggering amount of it bypasses empty stomachs and goes into landfills every day. There it sits in a plastic bag, which delays decomposition and increases the harmful greenhouse gas emissions. There are numerous reasons for the inequitable distribution of food ranging from politics to logistics, but the fact is that each person can make a dent in reducing their carbon footprint by simply reducing the amount of food they place in the trash each week. Food waste reduction is a small goal that requires no additional spending, only conscious efforts. This action research project proves that consumers are interested in doing their part to reduce food waste and maximize their grocery budget, but the education surrounding these topics is severely lacking. Furthermore, food date labels tend to confuse consumers and cause them to prematurely throw out food that is still safe to eat. From the toolkit of professionally-trained chefs, food literacy focused on reducing waste can be spread using the powers of social media. This study uses the social media platform Instagram to collect data on consumer interest in reducing food waste, modifying food habits, and sustainable food practices to develop actionable steps that can be contributed to slowing climate change through the habits of cooks in their home kitchens.
Repository Citation
Rich, Thao, "Decreasing Food Waste in Home Kitchens by Increasing Food Literacy" (2025). Student Publications. 8.
https://scholarsarchive.jwu.edu/studentpub_cfit/8
