Food Waste Belongs in Canada’s National Food Security Strategy

Millions of Canadians — including many working full time — are struggling to afford groceries as geopolitical tensions, rising energy costs and U.S. tariffs drive up food inflation.  

And yet, Canada continues to waste nearly half of all its food. More than 41% of this wasted food — worth $58 billion annually — is perfectly good, edible food that could be redirected to people. In fact, it’s enough to feed 17 million people three meals a day for an entire year.

Second Harvest welcomes the government’s commitment to tackle the root causes of food insecurity through the development of a National Food Security Strategy. This is a critical opportunity, but it will only succeed if it includes meaningful action to reduce food waste. Here are our recommendations for a meaningful strategy — one that can improve access to affordable, nutritious food for everyone.  

Address systemic efficiencies, not just agricultural food production

Only a comprehensive, multi-departmental approach can address the root causes of food insecurity. This includes increasing access to affordable housing, strengthening income supports and recognizing the serious health impacts of food insecurity.

Bring back cross-sector, expert-led collaboration

A strong starting point for this work already exists. The government should reconvene the multi-disciplinary Canadian Food Policy Advisory Council. The council previously identified the reduction of food waste as a priority for Canada’s Food Policy and helped inform the creation of Canada’s National School Food Program, a meaningful source of stability and support for children.  

Integrate a food waste reduction strategy into the National Food Security Strategy  

We know from our peers that a coordinated national approach to food waste reduction delivers results. Across the EU, the UK and parts of Asia, countries are cutting waste and strengthening their food systems through targeted policy and accompanying regulatory changes with robust educational programs.  

Canada should follow suit by:

• Establishing national food waste reduction targets and standardizing food waste data collection — because we cannot manage what we do not measure;
• Modernizing “best before” date labelling, which accounts for 23% of avoidable food waste from processing to purchasing;
• Committing to sustained investment in the Local Food Infrastructure Fund so more surplus food can reach communities across Canada.

With food costs rising and geopolitical uncertainty compounding pressures on households, we can no longer afford to let good food go to waste. Food charities are already turning people away, but we grow enough and produce enough to do far better.

You can join us in calling for a stronger, more secure food system, where less food is wasted and more people are fed by taking action right now. Send a letter to your Member of Parliament and urge them to make food waste reduction a core part of Canada’s National Food Security Strategy.