How access to data can help solve food shortage amid COVID-19 crisis

The global food waste crisis is expected to reach unprecedented levels this year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This surge in food wastage is anticipated to plunge millions of individuals into abject hunger and poverty. Andre Laperrière, the Executive Director of the Global Open Data for Agriculture and Nutrition, sheds light on how access to data can play a pivotal role in addressing this pressing challenge. The pandemic has had a profound impact on food waste, with projections indicating a significant increase in wastage from the pre-pandemic levels. On an average year, approximately 30% of the food produced worldwide goes to waste. However, with the current crisis, this figure is expected to skyrocket to 40%, representing a one-third increase in food wastage. To put this into perspective, the United States alone wastes about $220 billion worth of food annually. This year, the figure is projected to soar to nearly $300 billion. The implications of such colossal food waste extend beyond just economic losses. The emission of gases like methane during the production and disposal of wasted food contributes significantly to adverse environmental effects, exacerbating the global climate crisis. The cumulative economic impact of global food wastage amounts to a staggering $3 trillion each year. This massive sum, if effectively redirected, could potentially help alleviate global poverty and malnutrition levels that persist in various parts of the world. Laperrière emphasizes that data emerges as a crucial tool in combating the escalating food waste crisis. Disruptions across the various stages of the food value chain – from production and processing to distribution and consumption – necessitate swift and informed action from governments, organizational heads, and leaders. Timely and reliable data empowers decision-makers to respond promptly to emerging disruptions, thereby preventing further compounding of challenges down the line. The quest for efficiency in food production has led to a 'just-in-time' process, reducing storage capacities globally. While this has enhanced efficiency, the downside is the vulnerability it creates to disruptions, like the ones witnessed during the current pandemic. Moreover, approximately 50% of perishable foods traditionally cater to institutions such as restaurants, schools, and hospitals. The closure of these outlets due to lockdowns and restrictions has resulted in a surplus of perishable items, further exacerbating the food waste crisis. In the developing world, where food systems heavily rely on imports, the challenges are manifold. Data inadequacy hampers effective management of disruptions in the food supply chain. Consequently, there is a critical need to bolster data-driven solutions and policy frameworks to mitigate food waste and ensure food security. The imposition of restrictions on manpower movements to curb the spread of the virus has inadvertently hindered the transportation of goods, leading to significant challenges in the timely delivery of perishable goods. Heralding against hoarding tendencies, Laperrière underscores the importance of collaborative efforts to address food waste. Consumers can contribute by diligently planning their purchases, avoiding unnecessary hoarding, and supporting initiatives that facilitate the redistribution of surplus food to those in need. Encouraging direct access to farmers and fostering partnerships with food banks and volunteer groups can help salvage excess perishables from being discarded. Leveraging data-driven insights can inform better policies on food storage, transportation, and distribution, thus optimizing resource utilization and minimizing wastage. Additionally, bolstering health systems to safeguard essential workers in the perishable food industry is critical for ensuring uninterrupted supply chains and mitigating the impact of food waste. Collective action and a multi-faceted approach are imperative to tackle the looming food crisis exacerbated by the pandemic, with data access emerging as a linchpin in the fight against global food shortage and wastage.