The Solution To Food Waste

Jan 8, 2021

Food waste is a staggering issue, with nearly 40% of produce discarded due to appearance standards and logistical challenges. The conversation covers innovative solutions like Food Maven, which turns surplus food into resources. There's a strong link between food waste and insecurity, especially in disadvantaged communities. Massachusetts’ composting efforts and dairy farmers’ creative energy solutions are highlighted as effective strategies. Ultimately, tackling food consumption and waste requires collective responsibility and meaningful policy changes.

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INSIGHT

Food Waste Mismatch

40% of produced food is wasted due to mismatches in supply and demand, not just scraps.
This mismatch contributes to significant food waste, impacting resources, and the environment.

ANECDOTE

Food Maven Solution

Food Maven uses logistics and technology to find markets for excess food, reducing waste.
They connect suppliers with food service providers looking for deals, creating a win-win.

INSIGHT

Institutional Roadblocks

Despite food waste, many children lack access to food due to institutional roadblocks.
Regulations and purchasing policies hinder the efficient distribution of surplus food.

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The Solution To Food Waste | This episode is brought to you by Find My Formula

Food waste is one of the largest problems of our time. In this US alone, upwards of 40% of food is wasted. Sadly, because of quality standards that emphasize appearance, spoilage, transportation, and other challenges, the majority of that is nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables that should form the bulk of our diet, and that many people have little access to in the first place.

And the issue of food waste is farther-reaching than you might think. It’s an incredible waste of resources—the water, land, energy, labor, and capital needed to grow it are all wasted, too, when food is thrown away. Plus, food waste is a major contributor to climate change in several ways. But there are also many things we can do to turn around the issue of food waste and the way it impacts our climate and food security.

Dr. Hyman discussed some of the solutions with Walter Robb, former CEO of Whole Foods Market. Walter has a long and varied entrepreneurial history ranging from natural food retailer to farmer to consultant. He is a mentor and advisor to the next generation of American food companies and he is dedicated to transforming our food system.

Dr. Hyman further discussed issues and solutions related to food waste when he sat down with his business partner, and host of the Broken Brain podcast, Dhru Purohit.

This episode is brought to you by Find My Formula, the world’s first personalized nootropics company. Right now, Find My Formula is giving The Doctor’s Farmacy listeners an exclusive discount. Visit findmyformula.com and get 15% off of your first box by using the code DRMARK at checkout.

Find Dr. Hyman’s full-length conversation with Walter Robb, “The Future of Food is Better Than We Thought” here: https://DrMarkHyman.lnk.to/WalterRobb

Find Dr. Hyman’s full-length conversation with Dhru Purohit, “How Our Food System Harms Humans And The Planet” here: https://DrMarkHyman.lnk.to/DrMarkHyman21920